Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Accurate data about unemployment should be maintained' that was published in Newsband

Accurate data about unemployment should be maintained

The data released by the government showed joblessness for 2017/18 at 6.1%. India’s GDP growth slowed to 5.8% in the first quarter [of 2019] from 6.6% in the previous quarter. Manufacturing activity and investment figures were weaker than expected. This was attributable to uncertainty in the run up to the elections and was “somewhat expected”.

India’s growth forecasts are projected to be 7.5% per annum in 2019, 2020 and 2021. A growth rate of 7.2% is estimated for 2018.

Feature of joblessness and slow growth of GDP and employment is accompanied by almost zero growth in Organised sector employment. In fact, the latter sector including the government has resorted to outsourcing and thus there is growing informalisation of employment. Administrative reforms and pay commission recommendations have advised lowered levels of work force. Also increased mechanisation is a part of productivity enhancement process. Skills have to match this handling of mechanisation diversity and versatility; and is systemically difficult.

Complementarily, wages have to increase all across and health, retirement and social security and insurance instruments have to spread and reach the crevices of the work force all across the hinterland. These security/insurance agents have to spread out with due training and contribute to cushion/forestall the pain of unorganised sector employment. And these agents can be employed in large numbers given the growing number of graduates in India.

Look at the total neglect of farmers' distress, low employment and income growth and cases of violence and excusing temporising and even encouraging the perpetrators in the run up to election propaganda. Questions regarding Pulwama attack and the aftermath episode of Balakot were bandied about without caring for truth and sweeping under the carpet of reports by Reuters etc.

Traditionally Employment is not a problem as underemployment and less than low wages spreading across the Poor sectors. Mismatch between skills and available employment is persisting. Training and employment programmes continuously have to take precedence and should be a collaborative effort between government and corporate sector. And institutional support to spread this effort in the rural hinterland, and Investment thereof have to have allocations and priority in India.

GOI & World Bank experts need to have direct common processes to exchange data in real time & public as well. Fudging & delaying numbers for a few votes more or bragging 'We are fastest growing GDP major economy' etc is not advisable. Data collection & analysis processes must be transparent & subject to international peer reviews.