Narendra Modi on Unemployment
Narendra Modi's position on unemployment is characterized by an assertion that his government has been highly successful in generating employment across various sectors, often citing official data to counter critical narratives. He contends that the unemployment rate has significantly decreased under his tenure, pointing to increases in formal employment indicators and the creation of new job avenues through government initiatives and a thriving startup ecosystem.
Modi frames the current situation as one of 'opportunity upon opportunity,' suggesting that the focus should be on data from credible sources like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to assess the employment scenario accurately. His administration emphasizes infrastructure development, self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat), and policies aimed at nurturing 'job creators' alongside direct job creation schemes to address the challenge of unemployment.
Historically, criticism has emerged regarding the methodology of measuring new jobs in the evolving economy and the impact of certain policies like demonetisation and GST on job losses. However, Narendra Modi consistently defends his track record by highlighting metrics such as the growth in EPFO subscribers and individual taxpayers as proof of widespread formal job creation.
Context
Narendra Modi's emphasis on job creation is politically crucial, as the opposition frequently targets his government on the issue of unemployment during election cycles.
His response often involves shifting the metric of success from traditional employment figures to indicators of formalization, such as growth in EPFO subscribers and the number of individual taxpayers, arguing that new economic realities require new ways of measurement.
Actions Taken
- Economic policyLaunched Make in India initiative to encourage foreign companies to manufacture products in India, aiming to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub.
- Skill developmentIntroduced skill development scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) to enhance employability.
- Entrepreneurship promotionLaunched Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Scheme (PMMS) to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship.
- Employment facilitationInitiatives like 'rozgaar melas' were conducted to facilitate job creation, with lakhs of jobs claimed to be created.
Key Quotes
The PLFS data also states that 6 crore new jobs have been generated in six to seven years.
The unemployment rate is the lowest in the last 6 years.
The doors of opportunities are now wide open for our youth around the world.
Criticism
Reported in January 2019 that as many as 1.1 crore people lost their jobs in 2018, while the unemployment rate shot up to 7.4 percent in December 2018.
Cautioned policymakers about increasing unemployment rate in the country, particularly among youth, contrasting with PM Modi's claims.
Called for a nationwide strike against the government's labour reform policies, termed as 'pro-corporate' and 'anti-people'.
Sources5
6 Crore Jobs Created In 6-7 Years: PM Modi To NDTV On Unemployment
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.