Maharashtra Govt Expands Youth Policy Committee Amid Criticism Over Lack Of Opposition & Activist Representation

Mumbai: After facing flak from the Opposition parties over no representation to them and to activists, the state government has decided to expand a committee set up recently to draft a revised youth policy.

About The Committee

The committee was appointed to review the policy announced in 2012 and recommend a revised policy to the government. Headed by Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Datta Bharne, the committee had 21 members when the order was issued on May 28. It had four BJP legislators – Santosh Danve, Rajesh Pawar, Ashutosh Kale, and Shrikant Bhartiya.

The NCP was represented by Amol Mitkari with Satyajeet Tambe, who is an Independent MLC. Surprisingly, no member from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena was accommodated, though the party is a partner in the Mahayuti government. Soon after the state order was issued, the NCP SCP executive president and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule expressed unhappiness over no representation to the Opposition and activists working for the youth welfare.

A few more voices were also against the state decision for limited representation of the youth activists. On Friday, the state issued another order with 13 members, including one member each from the NCP SCP and the Shiv Sena UBT. While Rohit Patil represents the NCP SCP, Varun Sardesai is from the Shiv Sena UBT.

Suhas Kande represents the Shiv Sena, and Babasaheb Deshmukh, the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP). The BJP has expanded its representation by adding two more names – Praveen Datke and Devendra Kothe. The committee has six members active in youth welfare. In total, 8 members will be part of the 34-member committee as youth activists.