New Delhi, February 4 (PTI): A recent parliamentary report has raised concerns over several gaps in the government's youth empowerment initiatives, pointing out delays in fund allocations, insufficient outreach, and a lack of action on key recommendations. The findings were part of the 360th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, presented in Parliament on Tuesday.
The report specifically reviewed the government's follow-up on its previous recommendations concerning the Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK), a major youth empowerment scheme aimed at fostering skill development and disaster preparedness among young people. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress and urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) to take immediate corrective actions.
Concerns over Disaster Preparedness and Youth Volunteerism
The committee raised alarm over the absence of a structured approach to involving youth in disaster management, citing a 2022 assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It called for the integration of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) volunteers into mandatory disaster management committees at the village and district levels. The committee also recommended the establishment of Disaster Risk Reduction Teams in every district to improve local preparedness.
Although the Ministry reported training over 12,000 NYKS volunteers, the committee emphasized the need for better coordination with disaster relief authorities to ensure these volunteers are effectively deployed when required.
Delays in Transforming NYKS Centres into Youth Resource Hubs
Another area of concern was the slow progress in converting NYKS centres into District Youth Resource Centres (DYRCs). These centres were envisioned as hubs for skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. The Ministry stated that the proposal for funding had been forwarded to the Finance Ministry, but the committee urged the MYAS to push for more timely action to secure the necessary resources.
Need for Improved Collaboration and Inclusivity in Youth Programmes
The committee also highlighted a lack of coordination between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, particularly in transforming NYKS centres into gateways for youth employment. Furthermore, it suggested creating dedicated 'Girl Child NYKS Centres' to ensure better access for young women to skill training and job placement programmes.
In terms of international exchange programmes, the report noted that rural youth and students from tier-2 and tier-3 colleges are underrepresented. The committee recommended tracking the long-term impact of these initiatives and ensuring a more inclusive selection process to offer marginalized students equal opportunities.
Youth Hostels for Women Remain Inadequate
The committee raised serious concerns over the insufficient availability of youth hostels for women, especially in state capitals, educational hubs, and cultural sites. While the Ministry cited the construction of one hostel in Kota, Rajasthan, the committee deemed it inadequate. It called for the inclusion of more funds in the 2025-26 Union Budget to build dedicated women-only hostels equipped with Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, and round-the-clock security.
Transparency and Outreach Gaps in Existing Programmes
Further concerns were raised regarding the use of funds under the National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP), with the committee calling for greater transparency in budgeting and expenditure tracking. Additionally, the committee criticized the limited outreach of Scouts and Guides programmes and recommended expanding gender sensitization, environmental protection, and digital literacy efforts in rural schools.
Conclusion: Need for Swift Action
Although the government has acknowledged some of the committee's recommendations, the report indicates that many vital youth empowerment measures remain under-implemented. The committee has urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to take immediate steps to address the pending issues and report back before the next parliamentary review.
This latest report underscores the ongoing challenges in fully realizing the potential of youth-focused initiatives, urging for stronger collaboration, better resource allocation, and more inclusive approaches moving forward.
The report specifically reviewed the government's follow-up on its previous recommendations concerning the Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK), a major youth empowerment scheme aimed at fostering skill development and disaster preparedness among young people. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress and urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) to take immediate corrective actions.
Concerns over Disaster Preparedness and Youth Volunteerism
The committee raised alarm over the absence of a structured approach to involving youth in disaster management, citing a 2022 assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It called for the integration of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) volunteers into mandatory disaster management committees at the village and district levels. The committee also recommended the establishment of Disaster Risk Reduction Teams in every district to improve local preparedness.
Although the Ministry reported training over 12,000 NYKS volunteers, the committee emphasized the need for better coordination with disaster relief authorities to ensure these volunteers are effectively deployed when required.
Delays in Transforming NYKS Centres into Youth Resource Hubs
Another area of concern was the slow progress in converting NYKS centres into District Youth Resource Centres (DYRCs). These centres were envisioned as hubs for skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. The Ministry stated that the proposal for funding had been forwarded to the Finance Ministry, but the committee urged the MYAS to push for more timely action to secure the necessary resources.
Need for Improved Collaboration and Inclusivity in Youth Programmes
The committee also highlighted a lack of coordination between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, particularly in transforming NYKS centres into gateways for youth employment. Furthermore, it suggested creating dedicated 'Girl Child NYKS Centres' to ensure better access for young women to skill training and job placement programmes.
In terms of international exchange programmes, the report noted that rural youth and students from tier-2 and tier-3 colleges are underrepresented. The committee recommended tracking the long-term impact of these initiatives and ensuring a more inclusive selection process to offer marginalized students equal opportunities.
Youth Hostels for Women Remain Inadequate
The committee raised serious concerns over the insufficient availability of youth hostels for women, especially in state capitals, educational hubs, and cultural sites. While the Ministry cited the construction of one hostel in Kota, Rajasthan, the committee deemed it inadequate. It called for the inclusion of more funds in the 2025-26 Union Budget to build dedicated women-only hostels equipped with Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, and round-the-clock security.
Transparency and Outreach Gaps in Existing Programmes
Further concerns were raised regarding the use of funds under the National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP), with the committee calling for greater transparency in budgeting and expenditure tracking. Additionally, the committee criticized the limited outreach of Scouts and Guides programmes and recommended expanding gender sensitization, environmental protection, and digital literacy efforts in rural schools.
Conclusion: Need for Swift Action
Although the government has acknowledged some of the committee's recommendations, the report indicates that many vital youth empowerment measures remain under-implemented. The committee has urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to take immediate steps to address the pending issues and report back before the next parliamentary review.
This latest report underscores the ongoing challenges in fully realizing the potential of youth-focused initiatives, urging for stronger collaboration, better resource allocation, and more inclusive approaches moving forward.
