Lok Sabha Question No. 3409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-09
Subject: Data Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3409

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  AUGUST, 2021

## DATA CENTRE FOR MONITORING INDIAN ECONOMY

3409.  SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

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

- (a) whether the estimated unemployment rate has shot up to a 12 month high of 11.90  per  cent  in  May,  2021  as  revealed  by  Centre  for  Monitoring  Indian Economy database on 'Unemployment Rate in India';
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the facts in this regard;
- (c) whether the number of unemployed people in rural areas and urban areas has increased significantly in the past few years and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there has been a dip in the estimated labour participation rate also; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  corrective  measures  proposed  to  be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (e): The data on employment/ unemployment is being collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation( MoSPI) since 2017-18. As per the results of PLFS  conducted  during  2017-18,  2018-19  and  2019-20,  the  unemployment  rate  for persons of 15 years and above on usual status in the country was as under :

| PLFS    | Unemployment Rate (in %)   | Unemployment Rate (in %)   | Unemployment Rate (in %)   |
|---------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| (Year)  | Rural                      | Urban                      | Total                      |
| 2017-18 | 5.3                        | 7.7                        | 6.0                        |
| 2018-19 | 5.0                        | 7.6                        | 5.8                        |
| 2019-20 | 3.9                        | 6.9                        | 4.8                        |

As per the results of PLFS conducted during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, the Labour Force Participation  Rate  (LFPR) for  persons  of  15  years  and  above  on  usual status in the country was 49.8%, 50.02%  and 53.5% respectively.

Government of India has taken a number of initiatives for promoting employment generation  in  the  country.  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  Rojgar  Yojana  (ABRY)  has  been launched  w.e.f.  1st  October,  2020  to  incentivize  employers  for  creation  of  new employment along with social security benefits and restoration of employment. The terminal date for registration of beneficiary under the scheme has been extended from 30th June, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

PM- SVANidhi Scheme has facilitated collateral free working capital loan upto Rs.10,000/-  for  one-year  tenure  to  street  vendors,  to  help  them    resume  their businesses during the post Covid period.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is being implemented by the Government inter alia, for facilitating self-employment. Under PMMY collateral free loans upto Rs. 10 lakh, are extended to micro/small business enterprises and to individuals to enable them to setup or expand their business activities.

In addition, to enhance the employment generation, Government is encouraging  various  projects  involving  substantial  investment  and  through  public expenditure  on  schemes  like  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS),  Pt. DeenDayal Upadhyaya  Grameen  Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), DeendayalAntodaya  Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission  (DAY-NULM)  and Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  run  by  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  & Medium  Enterprises,  Ministry  of  Rural  Development,  Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban Affairs and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), respectively.

Besides  these  initiatives,  flagship  programmes  of  the  Government  such  as Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Housing for All, Infrastructure development  and  Industrial  corridors  and  Production-Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme have the potential to generate productive employment opportunities.

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