(a) whether the official data reveals that the number of unemployed persons in rural areas is coming down;
(b) if so, the details thereof in this regard for the last three years;
(c) the reaction of the Government in this regard; and
(d) the agencies responsible for preparing this data and the mechanism through which the data is cross-checked by the Government ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI ANNASAHEB M. K. PATIL)
(a) to (c) The unemployment in the country, including in rural areas, is estimated by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) once in every five years through Sample surveys. On the basis of the last sample survey conducted by NSSO in its 55th Round (1999-2000), it has been estimated that the number of unemployed rural persons in labour force is 43.35 lakh. Comparison of unemployment situation over the last three years and the current year is not possible for want of year-wise estimates either for the country as a whole or State-wise.
(d) The NSSO has evolved a strong mechanism for control and supervision of data collection. Field Supervision is carried out by higher level officers. Technical scrutiny of the filled-in schedules, adoption of consistency checks before validation of data etc. are also resorted to.