**Bhubaneswar: ** Close on the heels of his recent joining the ruling BJD led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Government on Tuesday appointed retired IPS officer Arup Patnaik as the chairman of newly-formed Biju Yuva Bahini to deal with the youth affairs in the State. Arup Patnaik is the former Police Commissioner of Mumbai and also a noted social activist after his superannuation.
Notably, Odisha Government has made a provision of Rs 450.49 crore for three years to set up the Biju Yuva Bahini in panchayats and urban local bodies (ULBs).
It is under the State Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Chadrasarathi Behera in a written reply during the recently concluded Odisha Assembly Budget Session has informed the House that so far,2.92 lakh youths have been taken in as the members of the Yuva Bahini.
He also informed that the Yuva Bahini will help create a sense of social values and responsibility among the youths to take up community service, volunteerism and leadership.
The Minister also informed further that the Yuva Vahini will be encouraged to take up different social service work. Besides, steps will be taken to develop sports and different arts among them.
The Minister also added that Rs 1.5 lakh will be provided to each of the Yuva Vahini per year to take up the activities.
Persons in the age group of 15 to 35 years are being taken in as Yuva Vahini members.
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