The youth affairs ministry's programme will start with the north-eastern states. Assembly elections in Assam -- which is politically crucial for the ruling Congress -- are due later this year.
"The aim would be to make the youth a vibrant force against divisive forces," youth affairs and sports minister Ajay Maken said. "If we can generate employment, insurgency-related problems could also be addressed. Unemployment is a root cause of the problem," he added.
The ministry will approach the Planning Commission and the finance ministry for funding of the new scheme which will be worked out after consulting state governments.
The minister said that the age group of 15-35 years constituted about 40% of the country's total population and the youth in troubled regions fall pray to divisive and extremists forces in the absence of employment opportunities.
Under the scheme, the country would be divided into four parts -- J&K, North-Eastern states, Naxal-hit tribal areas and the rest of the country -- to understand the skills needed in each region so as to ensure that youths get employment.
The projects, in collaboration with FICCI, will start with the North-Eastern region while the Naxal-affected areas will be taken up next in March-April.
The ministry has called the youth affairs and sports ministers of the North-Eastern states for a meeting on February 4 to work out the specific programmes for the region.
"We have to draw up new schemes for the youth as some of the schemes have become outdated," Maken said, adding that these are specific programmes and tailor-made for each region. "The focus will be skill development and employment through sports," he said.
Talking about the North-Eastern region, Maken said infrastructure has to be developed in the region. "In the North-East, there is natural talent for sports. We have to use," he explained.
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