Lok Sabha Question No. 3185 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-06
Subject: Shortage of Farm Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2018

## SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOURERS

3185. SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  the  shortage  of  farm  labourers  is  being  constantly  felt  in  the country during the last few years;
- (b)if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether  the  implementation  of  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment  Guarantee  Act  has  also  diverted  farm  labourers  to  other sectors of jobs, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the  corrective  measures  taken/  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard along with the extent of success achieved therefrom?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) &  (d) As  per data available with National Sample  Survey  Office, estimated number of casual labour engaged in public works and number of casual labour in works other than public works engaged in agriculture sector in  usual  status  (Public  sector  +  Social  Sector)  in  India  obtained  from  NSS surveys during 2004-05, 2009-10 and 2011-12:

| year     | estimated number (in million) in usual status (Public Sector + Social Sector)   | estimated number (in million) in usual status (Public Sector + Social Sector)   |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|          | casual labour in public works (including MGNREG public works)                   | casual labour in agriculture sector in works other than public works            |
| 2004- 05 | 0.59                                                                            | 82.98                                                                           |
| 2009- 10 | 4.29                                                                            | 82.88                                                                           |
| 2011- 12 | 6.35                                                                            | 69.45                                                                           |

Contd..2/-

Mahatma  Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee  Scheme (MGNREGS) is a  demand  driven  wage  employment  programme.    MGNREGS provides  livelihood  security  i.e.,  fall  back  option  for  livelihood  for  the  rural households  when  no  better  employment  opportunity  is  available.  The  Act guarantees 100 days of wage employment to any willing rural household in a financial year. An additional 50 days are provided over and above 100 days in the  notified  drought  affected  areas.  Members  of  the  household  are  free  to avail  wage  opportunity  under  MGNREGS  or  other  available  employment opportunities.  The  demand  and  supply  of  labour  for  various  sectors  of  the economy depend upon several factors like wage rates, economic prospects, absorption capacity, regional and climatic conditions, demographic profile of the work force etc.

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