Employment Generation is a Key Government Priority, Minister Shobha Karandlaje Responds to Rahul Gandhi

The government emphasised its commitment to job creation, highlighting various initiatives aimed at boosting employment. In response to concerns about youth unemployment raised by Rahul Gandhi, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje informed the Lok Sabha that the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for individuals aged 15 and above has risen from 46.8% in 2017-18 to 58.2% in 2023-24, reflecting a positive employment trend.

Karandlaje stated that improving employability alongside job creation remains a government priority. Various programmes are being implemented to achieve this goal. The Skill India Mission (SIM) is actively involved in re-skilling and up-skilling the youth through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, and Craftsmen Training Scheme via Industrial Training Institutes.

Focus on Skill Development

The SIM aims to prepare Indian youth for future challenges by equipping them with industry-relevant skills. Karandlaje highlighted that the Ministry of Labour and Employment operates the National Career Service (NCS) Portal. This platform offers comprehensive career-related services, including job information from both private and government sectors, online and offline job fairs, career counselling, vocational guidance, and skill development courses.

The NCS portal has been integrated with the e-Shram portal, which maintains a database of over 31 crore unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers. This integration allows e-Shram registrants to access a wide range of services available on the NCS portal, such as job search and related facilities.

Incentives for Job Creation

Additionally, the government is implementing the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, known as the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana. This scheme aims to support employment generation while enhancing employability and social security across all sectors, with a particular focus on manufacturing.

The ELI Scheme has an allocated budget of Rs 99,446 crore and seeks to incentivise the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs in India over two years. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to addressing unemployment and fostering economic growth through strategic employment policies.

These efforts reflect a comprehensive approach towards tackling unemployment by not only creating jobs but also ensuring that the workforce is equipped with necessary skills for future demands. The integration of various platforms further enhances accessibility to employment opportunities for diverse worker groups.

With inputs from PTI