The proposed Odisha State Youth Policy 2013 was approved by the State Cabinet at its meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Saturday. The policy will be formally announced for implementation by the Chief Minister on Sunday.
The policy, which aimed at empowering youth, is seen as a bid on the part of the BJD Government to garner support of the youth for the ruling party in the ensuing general elections in which youth would play an important role.
According to official sources, the policy envisages making young people fully enabled, motivated, engaged and empowered to accomplish their full potential, have healthy lives, progress in education, secure productive livelihoods, participate in their communities, have a say in their future and contribute to the growth and development of the State.
Boys and girls in the age group of 15-30 years would be covered under the policy in three different categories. The youth of 15-20 years would come under the first category, those of 21-25 years under the second and those of 26-30 years under the third category.
The policy has identified nine thrust areas that encompass education and life skills, skill development, training, entrepreneurship and employment, health and wellbeing, sports and physical education, active citizenship and community engagement, environment, sustainable use and conservation, heritage, culture and diversity, gender justice and equality and globalisation and technology.
The objective of the new document is to provide equal opportunity and experience to enable youth for developing knowledge, skills and competencies to play an active role in all aspects of the society.
The Cabinet, among other things, decided to stand guarantee for the Aska Cooperative Sugar Mill for raising a loan of Rs 25 crore for modernisation of the plant.
The Cabinet also approved the new guidelines for appointment of lok Pal and gave its nod to the amendment to the service rules for the stenographers of the Heads of Departments.