Lok Sabha Question No. 4113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: National Youth Corps Scheme
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## (DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4113

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

National Youth Corps Scheme

## 4113. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether National Youth Corps (NYC) scheme to engage youth in the age-group  of  18-25  years  as  volunteers  to  serve  upto  maximum  two years  in  nation-building  activities  has  been  launched  by  the  Central Government;
- (b) if so, the complete details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) whether the Union Government has assessed its contribution in the nation building and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Union Government has fixed minimum qualification and honorarium for NYC volunteers and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  received  complaints  in  the selection of volunteers and if so, the number of complaints received by the Union Government during the last three years, State-wise; and
- (f) the action taken by the Union Government on these complaints?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a)&(b) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports introduced a scheme called National Youth Corps (NYC) Scheme during 2010-11.  The salient features of the NYC scheme are as follows:-

-  The objective of the Scheme is to setup a group of disciplined and dedicated youth who have the inclination and spirit to engage in the task of nation building, to facilitate the realization of inclusive growth (both  social  and  economic),  to  act  as  points  for  dissemination  of information,  basic  knowledge  in  the  community,  to  act  as  group modulators and peer group educators and to act as role models for the younger cohort especially towards enhancement of public ethics, probity and dignity of labour.
-  There is a District Level selection committee under the Chairpersonship of concerned DM/DC for selection of volunteers.
-  As per the provision of the scheme, a total of 12,000 volunteers are being deployed every year.  Presently, two volunteers per block are being deployed as volunteers.
-  Volunteers  in  the  age  group  of  18-25  were  deployed  for  maximum period  of  2  year  duration  only.    Each  volunteer  is  being  paid  Rs. 2,500/- as monthly honorarium.
-  Newly  deployed  volunteers  are  being  provided  15  days  induction training.  In  the  second  year,  volunteers  are  being  provided  7  days refresher training.
-  The Volunteers act as extended arm of NYKS for implementation of various schemes/ programmes/ initiatives of NYKS.
- (c)  During  2014,  the  Ministry  got  the  Scheme  evaluated  through  an independent  evaluation agency.  The  action points  /outcome  of the evaluation is at Annexure-I.
- (d)  The  minimum  qualification  for  deployment  as  volunteer  is  Class  10 th Pass.    Volunteers  in  the  age  group  of  18-25  years  are  deployed  for maximum period of 2 years.  Each volunteer is being paid Rs. 2,500/- as monthly honorarium.
- (e)&(f)  Total  seven  complaints  (1  from  Odisha  and  2  each  from  Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh) were received during the last three years.  State  Directors  of  NYKS  of  concerned  States  were  directed  to conduct enquiry on the complaints.

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## ANNEXURE - REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  Q.  NO.  4113  FOR  10.08.2016  ASKED  BY  DR.SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE REGARDING NATIONAL YOUTH CORPS SCHEME.

|   Sl. no | Summary                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Newly appointed NYC volunteers should be given rigorous field level orientation so that they are in a position to liaise between the village community and the NYK programme functionaries.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        2 | The implementation of the scheme calls for a clear understanding of the scheme by the DYC, NYC volunteers and the Youth Club members                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|        3 | For effective implementation of the scheme, representatives of Youth Clubs and NYC volunteers should be given regular training on behavioural skills including public speaking skills and how to maintain records through proper documentation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|        4 | Training need to be imparted to the staff at various levels-national, State, District as well as Village level. The training programme needs to be an ongoing activity and should be integral to the NYKS programmes package. The component of training can be divided into three phases:  Training needs assessment analysis for NYKS programme implementers, which would include NYKS official at all levels including the representatives of youth clubs and NYC volunteers at the grassroots level.  Development of training manual, which would cover the course content of training, the session plans for each training, the various levels of training, etc.  Actual conduct of training, which would be based on an annual training calendar for all levels of training, prepared annually and revised periodically, based on the changes taking place in the overall development scenario in the country and on the changes in the policies and programmes related to the NYKS. |
|        5 | All NYC volunteers should be given a certificate from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports after completion of their tenure. This would not only give them a feeling of satisfaction but would motivate others to offer their services as volunteers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|        6 | Flow of information between the old set of volunteers and the newly appointed ones should be streamlined in a manner that does not affect the scheme's implementation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|        7 | More NYC volunteers should be hired at the block level to ensure better implementation of the scheme as in many blocks, the distances between villages is too much for a single volunteer to cover.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        8 | NYC volunteers should be given a tenure of 3-5 years to enable them understand the basic spirit behind the NYKS programme and to enable them develop a healthy relationship with the Clubs assigned to them for a better implementation of the scheme.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|        9 | The minimum qualification for volunteer's appointment in NYC scheme should be increased to higher secondary and preference should be given to those                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

|    | candidates who have aptitude for social work.                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10 | There should be a uniform dress code for NYC volunteers to distinguish them from Youth Club members or other volunteers. This would give them a feeling of self worth and motivate them for better performance.                              |
| 11 | A lot of travel is avoided by NYC volunteers in the absence of provision for travel funds. Funds should be earmarked for travel to enable volunteers to travel from one place to the other to monitor the activities related to the project. |
| 12 | The honorarium amount of Rs. 2500/- per month for the NYC volunteers should be enhanced to Rs. 5000/- per month.                                                                                                                             |
| 13 | Areas that need adequate attention are enrolment of children in schools and formation of SGHs for women, where only 50% NYC volunteers are actively involved.                                                                                |
| 14 | Mechanisms need to be developed to ensure that Youth Clubs not only have information about the NYCs in their respective areas but also to ensure that they work together.                                                                    |
| 15 | The scheme would definitely need to be extended to the 12 th Five Year Plan and beyond.                                                                                                                                                      |

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