The Centre should release the final National Youth Policy (NYP) at the earliest so that joint programmes related to this section of the population are implemented by departments concerned, a city-based NGO has demanded.
"We have written a letter to the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs to release the National Youth Policy as soon as possible," said Pallavi Patel, Director, Centre for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness (CHETNA).
"The draft NYP is ready for one year. If the policy is released early, joint programmes can be undertaken by various departments of State and Central Governments," she told PTI.
According to the draft policy, many Central Ministries such as Human Resource Development, Rural Development, Women's Welfare, Environment, Health, Labour and Industry have significant components of their policies and programmes that are relevant to young people.
"Keeping this in view, inter-sectoral approach is imperative for dealing with youth-related issues. The NYP 2012, consistent with the suggestions made in earlier policy documents, advocates the establishment of a strong coordinating mechanism at the Centre and state levels."
Patel said the delay in announcing the final version of NYP has led to youth-related programmes being stuck at various departments.
"Our main aim is to advocate release of National Youth Policy as soon as possible. Suggestions submitted earlier were incorporated and the policy is a forward-looking one. However, we don't know what the Union Government is waiting for. Almost all suggestions and recommendations submitted by civil society organisations have, more or less, been accepted," Patel said.
Established in 1980, CHETNA addresses issues of women's health and development in different stages of their lives. It is part of the Nehru Foundation for Development, a charitable trust.
The policy draft, a revamped version of NYP 2003, is based on changing scenario in the country due to globalisation and rapid technological advancement.
After unveiling the policy, the then Union Minister of State Youth Affairs & Sports Ajay Maken had said 'Draft NYP 2012' is first of its kind as it recognises that youth is not a homogeneous group and has numerous differentials based on habitat, environment, socio-economic status of their families and their own lifestyles.
In addition, the draft policy proposed to change the target age group from the existing 13-35 years to 16-30 years.
