Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Small Traders Shutting their Business
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 99 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH   JULY, 2021

## SMALL TRADERS SHUTTING THEIR BUSINESS

## 99. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any data on the number of people who lost  their  jobs  and  the  number  many  small  traders  who  shut  their business due to covid-19 in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any steps have been taken by Government to generate jobs and to help unemployed persons;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a)  to  (e)  :  COVID-19  pandemic  has  affected  economies  across  the  globe including  India.  Government  has  taken  several  initiatives  to  address  the challenges and threats posed by the pandemic.

The  Government  is  providing  fiscal  stimulus  of  more  than  rupees twenty  seven  lakh  crore  as  part  of  the  Aatmanirbhar  financial  Package. Aatmanirbhar Bharat package comprises of various long term schemes/programmes/  policies  for  making  the  country  self-reliant  and  to create employment opportunities.

Government of India has launched PM- SVANidhi Scheme to facilitate collateral free working capital loan upto Rs.10,000/- of one-year tenure, to approximately, 50 lakh street vendors, to resume their businesses.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has been initiated by 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.

The  unemployment  benefit  under  the  Atal  Beemit  Vyakti  Kalyan Yojana being implemented by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has been enhanced to 50% from 25% of the average earning, payable upto  90  days,  alongwith  relaxation  of  eligibility  conditions  to  claim  the benefit, for insured workers who have lost employment due to COVID-19.

In addition, RBI and Government of India have introduced measures to infuse  liquidity  in  the  economy  to  sustain  the  market  economy  and  raise the level of employment.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojna (ABRY) Scheme has been launched with effect from 1st October 2020 to incentivize creation of  new employment along with social security benefits and restoration of loss of employment. This scheme reduces the financial burden of the employers of various  sectors/industries  including  MSME  and  encourages  them  to  hire more workers. Under ABRY, Government of India is providing for a period of two years both the employees' share (12% of wages) and employer's share (12%  of  wages)  of  contribution  payable  or  only  the  employees'  share, depending on employment strength of the EPFO registered establishments. As  on  30th  June  2021,  total  benefit  of  around  Rs.950  crores  have  been given through 82,251 establishments covering more than 22 lakh beneficiaries.

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