Maharashtra sets up Youth Development Fund

Youth Development Fund formed

to aid youth welfare projects

* Individuals in the age group of 15-35 years, and organizations active in the field of youth welfare for five years may apply for financial assistance

Staff Reporter

A few months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in which young voters are expected to participate more enthusiastically, Maharashtra Government has set up a Youth Development Fund to provide assistance to projects of youth welfare. Interestingly, the list of projects eligible for aid includes survey of issues concerning youth and remedial measures to quell their feeling of alienation.

The fund has been set up in accordance with the concept of Youth Policy unveiled in the year 2012. However, since then, the aspect of raising a dedicated fund was not urgent attention. Now, the fund has been set up to make available financial assistance to youths/organisations for implementation of youth welfare projects, to fund research in the field of youth welfare, scholarships/fellowships to encourage youths to work further in the field; financial assistance to organisations, educational institutions, Government, semi-Government departments, local self-government bodies; aid to create literature related to youth development, survey of issues concerning youths and suggesting remedial measures, to provide funds for imparting international training to youths for skill development in job/occupation, to fund symposiums, workshops, camps, orientation events, and ‘other appropriate initiatives’.

According to an officer in the know of things, the Government had been implementing and introducing various schemes for youth welfare since over 60 years, but there was lack of co-ordinated approach and changes in sync with prevailing situation. After the outcome of the recent Legislative Assembly elections held in five states and voices regarding aspirations of youths growing stronger in various forums including social networking sites, the Government felt that neglect of this demographic dividend might result in frustrated youths channelising their energy to negative inclinations as far as the country’s growth and development trajectory is concerned. Hence, the aspect of Youth Development Fund has attracted priority of the Government.

In fact, the Government has made an initial contribution of Rs 25 lakh for the fund and has assured to make appropriate allocation every subsequent year. A Coordination Committee headed by Sports and Youth Welfare Minister will decide on applications seeking assistance from Youth Development Fund. Commissioner/Director (Sports and Youth Welfare) will be Member Secretary of the committee. Minister of State (Sports and Youth Welfare) will be Vice-President while Additional Chief Secretary (Sports and Youth Welfare), Zonal Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra, and two National Youth Award recipients will be members.

As far as eligibility for financial assistance is concerned, applicant organisation should be a registered one and working in the field for five years. In case of individual applicants, the criteria is that he/she should be in the age group of 15-35 years, and having domicile certificate of Maharashtra.

The amount for Youth Development Fund will be raised through various means including Government’s initial contribution of Rs 25 lakh and appropriate annual allocation, donations received from industrial and commercial establishments, finance received under corporate social responsibility initiatives from various corporate houses, sponsorships to various programmes etc. 

(Published in The Hitavada CityLine on December 23, 2013)

Comments

  1. Unknown7 January 2014 at 20:48

    Hi Kartik, thanks for sharing such useful information

    ReplyDelete

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