GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 625

ANSWERED ON:09.12.2013

(a) whether the sequence of creation of new employment opportunities throughout the world is continuously increasing whereas there is huge loss of jobs in the country;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the net addition in jobs/job creation growth during the last few years have not been able to match the growth in the number of people willing to work;

(d) if so, the details of the total number of people who have joined the work force and the total number of jobs created during the last three years and the current year both in rural and urban areas;

(e) whether the Government has taken note of the various progressive policies being implemented to facilitate job creation or curtail job losses in other developed and developing nations such as the European countries which are also facing economic downturn/recession;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(g) the steps taken by the Government to facilitate mass job creation in the country?

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENTbe pleased to state:-

ANSWER

 (a), (b), (c) & (d) No, Madam. As per the last two Surveys on Employment and Unemployment conducted by National Sample Survey (NSS) Office during 2009-10 and 2011-12, the estimated labour force (number of people willing to work) has increased by 97.3 lakh persons and the estimated workforce (number of people working as per the major time criteria), increased by 86.2 lakh persons in this period. Data on labour force and workforce are estimated from the Surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Office and the last three surveys were conducted during 2004-05, 2009-10 and 2011-12.

(e) & (f) Yes, Madam. Various countries have implemented number of policies to facilitate job creation, curtailing job losses and reducing adverse effect of crisis like promoting investment friendly policies in industry and infrastructure and for boosting employment generation. Skilling of the workforce to undertake new jobs has also been a concerted initiative undertaken by many countries along with maintaining an effective public employment services. The Government has taken these into consideration in implementation of its plans and schemes within the overall budgetary resources available.

(g) To promote creation of jobs, Government has taken variety of steps like encouraging private investment in various sectors of economy, fast tracking various approvals for projects involving substantial investment and increasing public expenditure on schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), SwaranaJayantiShahariRozgarYojana (SJSRY); Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP); Swarnajayanti Gram SwarozgarYojana (SGSY) now restructured as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). In addition, Government has decided to spend more funds on skill development programmes. For example, it has been decided to use at least 10% of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for STs, Special Component Plan (SCP) for SCs, Multi-sectoral Development Programme funds and 5% of Border Area Development Programme funds for skill development.