Human Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar reportedly made a shocking statement about the unemployment problem troubling India on Tuesday, January 15.
As reported by Business Television India, Javadekar said, “Government has provided enough job opportunities in last five years. People who don’t work out of choice, cannot be considered unemployed.”
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What Javadekar, perhaps, failed to realise is that by definition, unemployment refers to a situation in which the workers who are capable of working and willing to work do not get employment. The definition excludes those who are not seeking employment.
That Javadekar made a remark about “people who don’t work out of choice” can either mean, (1) he does not know how unemployment is calculated, (2) he presumes others don’t know how unemployment is calculated or (3) it is a basis for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s excuse to not live up to its promises of creating jobs.
Javadekar’s comments also reflect a peculiar disconnect the Narendra Modi-led BJP seems to have with facts. Recent reports reveal a starkly contrasting image about the prevalent job and employment scenario in the country.
A report based on the Labour Bureau’s Survey revealed that post-demonetisation in November 2016, the unemployment rate rose from 3.4 per cent in 2013-14 to 3.9 per cent in 2016-17. Likewise, a study undertaken by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) revealed that unemployment in the country had increased to a two-year high of 6.9 per cent in October 2018.
Moreover, according to Mahesh Vyas, CMIE chief, demonetisation cost around 3.5 million people their jobs.
Also Read: Demonetisation: Unemployment Reached a 4-year High in 2016-17, But Modi Govt Hiding Data