(a) whether any review has been made in respect of the programmes run by Nehru Yuvak Kendras;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the suggestions received in order to involve rural youth in these Kendras; and
(d) the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SUNIL DUTT)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The programmes run by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) have been reviewed and evaluated from time to time.
The Planning Commission got the evaluation conducted in the years 1978, 1991 and 2003 for various programmes run by NYKS. The programmes are being reviewed regularly at the NYKS Headquarter through a monitoring unit. The District Youth Coordinators, Regional Coordinators and Zonal Directors also review the performance of Youth Clubs, Youth Development Centres through regular inspections.
(c) The various reviews stressed the need to further involve the large cross section of rural youth in the programmes. All these recommendations are duly taken care of while developing the action plan on year to year basis.
(d) Government has taken new initiatives and the programmes like Youth Development Centres, Rural Sports Clubs, Financial Assistance to Youth Clubs and Rural Information Technology Youth Development Centres. Efforts have also been made to synergize and converge various agencies in the field.