Govt. readies policy for youth

It aims at creating a strong and prosperous generation of youngsters

The State government has readied the Youth Policy-2017 with an aim to address the needs and aspirations of youth in the age group of 15 to 34.

There were 186 lakh youth in the age group in 2016.

Unemployment dole

Though the policy has been readied a couple of months ago, the government hasn’t announced it as it is yet to finalise the unemployment allowance.

As part of the policy, the government plans to establish Andhra Pradesh State Youth Advisory Council, a high-power committee for Youth Policy Implementation, Andhra Pradesh Youth Development Corporation (APYDC), Andhra Pradesh State Institute of Youth Development (APSIYD), and Yuva Bhavans in each district headquarters, sources say.

The advisory council, under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, will provide overall guidance on the implementation of the youth policy.

The APYDC will be set up under Section 25 of the Companies Act to cater to the various youth empowerment and development activities. It will act as a think tank on youth-related ideas and initiatives.

The APSIYD will be a State-level centre for planning, capacity building, research, monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment, extension, networking and collaborations, documentation and dissemination of information on youth policy implementation, sources say.

Fund mobilisation

As adequate resources are required for the effective implementation of the youth policy, the government is identifying resources in each department through the Youth Action Plans. Also, the government will leverage CSR funds from companies to fund programmes under the youth policy.

The government has studied the policies in Karnataka, Odisha, and Kerala. Also, it has taken the youth development index in countries such as Germany, Denmark, Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Japan.

Employment and opportunity, political participation, civic participation and education are strong domains of these countries. Experiences from these countries have been taken into account while preparing the youth policy, says an official in the Department of Youth Services.

The youth policy is aimed at creating a groundswell of enthusiasm and motivation, giving rise to a strong and prosperous generation of youth.

The focus areas will be education, entrepreneurship and innovation, and employment and skill development. Participation in politics and governance, sports and recreation, community service and social justice are a few other areas, sources say.