KATHMANDU: Constituent Assembly (CA) members, Leaders from different political parties and youth associations today opined that unemployment was the major problem currently confronting the youths in Nepal.

Speaking at an interaction on 'Madhesi Youth in Nepali Politics' organised by Madhes Media House today, Mahendra Yadav, a CA member and president of Nepal Tarun Dal, a youth wing of the Nepali Congress party said that the youths were increasingly looking for jobs, including those at the policy making level.

"Still some youths are brandishing guns and spending their life aimlessly. This is because they lack education and employment. State should provide them education and employment," argued Yadav.

He also alleged that none of the political parties have been able to address the issues of youths. "Even the state has not been able to push forward National Youth Policy," he said.

Sagar, YCL in-charge, Newa State Committee, also reiterated that unemployment was the main culprits behind youth's problems today.

"Productive age of the youth is wasted due to lack of awareness and high unemployment. To whileaway their time, they are getting into drug addictions, prostitution and other bad activities," he said.

He opined that a government-initiated package programme could address the problems of youths. "If this happens, youths will support the government," Sagar added.

Ram Babu Yadav, President of the Madhesh Youth Forum urged the government to form Madhesi Youth Commission and provide reservation for Madhesi in every state mechanism.

"Nobody will go to foreign countries in their striving for improved life conditions should the government create employment within the country," he said.

Jitendra Lal Das, general secretary of All Madhesh NGO Federation said that the state was less about youths' problems. "Youths are unhappy with the present government," he added.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Nepali, minister for Youths and Sports said that the country was going through a transition phase and therefore the government had not been able to solve their problems as quickly as desired.

He, however, maintained that his ministry had already forwarded the National Youth Policy to the Cabinet for approval. "I will lobby and do everything I can to approve the policy from the cabinet," he assured the youths present on the occasion.