Lok Sabha Question No. 2038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-07
Subject: Employment Generation in Economically Backward Regions
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2038 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.03.2018.

## EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN ECONOMICALLY BACKWARD REGIONS

## 2038. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has constituted a task force for employment generation and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  no  new  employment  is  generated  in  economically backward regions especially in Bundelkhand; and

(c)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  considering  a  special  scheme  to  generate  new  employment opportunities in Bundelkhand and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNINF AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) An Expert Taskforce on Employment and Exports was constituted under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to provide a major thrust to job creation by enhancing India's exports. The Terms of Reference of the Task Force were as under:

- 1) To propose a comprehensive action plan to alleviate under-employment and low wages by boosting India's exports in key labour-intensive sectors.
- 2) To recommend sector-specific policy interventions in key employment-intensive sectors like apparel, leather and footwear and electronics.
- 3)  To  recommend  measures  to  enhance  trade  in  services  which  have  high  potential  like  tourism, education and health.
- 4) To identify key macroeconomic factors constraining exports and suggest ways in which to address these constraints.
- 5) To assess the effectiveness of existing schemes to promote exports.
- 6) To assess issues related to logistics, export credits and trade facilitation.

7) To suggest ways to enhance the availability of data on trade such that it is reliable, globally comparable and timely, particularly with respect to trade in services.

8) To make recommendations on any other matters referred to the Task Force by the Government of India.

The Taskforce has since submitted its report.

(b) & (c) Government of India provided a Bundelkhand package in 2009 covering a total of 13 districts in the States of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The package aimed at drought-proofing  the region, on the one hand and undertaking complementary activities for livelihood and income generation on the other.  The impact evaluation of the program has indicated improvement in productivity of crops and hence  income  levels.  The  Government  of  India  has  recently  launched  a  Program  to  transform  115 Aspirational  districts  in  the  country  across  States  (including  3  Districts  in  Bundelkhand  region  viz. Chitrakoot in U.P , Chhatarpur & Damoh in M.P) with the objective of improving health, education, nutrition,  infrastructure,  agriculture,  financial  inclusion  and  skill  development.  These would have an impact on productivity and also generate more direct and indirect employment.