From a Correspondent

SHILLONG, June 28: A Youth Development Index (YDI) that will serve the baseline and ready reckoner for evaluators and policy makers has been incorporated in the draft National Youth Policy, 2012.

Nita Chowdhury, Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs who is in the city to formulate a discussion on the Draft National Youth Policy, 2012 informed, “We have created the Youth Development Index with the purpose to  measure what is the actual development as a result of this policy.”

Chowdhury also said that there was a specific policy within the draft national youth policy that would cater to the youth of the strife torn regions of Northeast and Kashmir.

The Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs said that special skill development programme especially designed for the unemployed youths of the region has been outlined in the draft National Youth Policy.

According to Chowdhury, the draft National Youth Policy, 2012 have also identified youths who are in the conflict zones and are vulnerable to drug abuse.

She also informed that in order to enhance the skills of the unemployed youths vocational training would be provided for locally available employment opportunities.

“In the north east there is lot of scope for development of poultry and piggery farm which will be beneficial for the unemployed youths of the region,” Chowdhury said.