June 2, 2015
Tremendous development made under Trinamool in Youth Services
The percentage of youth population under 25 years is around 50% of the total population in West Bengal while that of youth population aged below 35 is around 65%. West Bengal Government, through the Youth Services Department has taken various steps for the betterment of the youth population of the State.
Projects like construction of multi-facility gymnasiums, mini indoor games complexes, new youth hostels, renovation of the existing youth hostels, setting up of vocational training centres, libraries and science clubs, computer training centres are on. Besides, special initiatives are being taken for the youth population of Jangalmahal.
Planned expenditure of present Government is 12 times more than the past Government
Comparison to the planned expenditure made by the past Left Government and the present Trinamool Government shows that the expenditure has risen 12 times in the four years from 2011-2015. The total planned expenditure in the last four years of the Left Government was Rs 33.64 crores, between 2007 and 2011. The figures under the Trinamool Government between 2011 and 2015 shows that the planned expenditure has been Rs 389.84 crores, a 12 times increase on an average every year.
In fact, the planned expenditure for youth services had been going down every year during the past Left Government, while it has been going up every year under the present Government. Incidentally, the planned expenditure for the past Left Government for the year 2010-11 was Rs 7.57 crores while that of the present Trinamool Government for the year 2015-16 is Rs 160 crores, close to a 100 times increase.
Initiative started for the youth in Jangalmahal by Trinamool
Jangalmahal was a fearsome place when the Trinamool Government came in power. Through various developmental measures, peace was restored in these areas and the youth population was given a large number of options that could keep them away focused in activities rather than taking part in extremist activities.
By 2014-15, 91 community hall cum recreation centres were set up in Jangalmahal, in the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia. The Jangalmahal Football Cup was also instituted to mark out the junior players.
Varied projects for the youth under Trinamool
The State Youth Service at present runs around 900 youth computer training centres. Under the present Government, vocational training centres have been opened for 22 streams in 60 subdivisions in 2014-15. Rs 2013-14, Rs 50.26 lakh have been spent and Rs 3 crore was allotted in 2014-15. For bringing up new talents, Youth Song Festivals are now being organized for the first time.
Besides other activities, funds are also being allotted for buying equipments for football, volleyball, cricket, badminton, carom, table tennis, hockey and other such games. The equipments are distributed among the 9631 secondary/ higher secondary schools, the 499 colleges and 11 universities in the State. The Youth Service Department has also constituted the West Bengal Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Foundation and instituted the Radhanath Sikdar- Tenzing Norgay prizes. A special prize for women adventure sports personalities have been also instituted in the name of Chhanda Gayen.
