Question : EMPLOYMENT AVENUES IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

(a) whether despite being the fact that India is predominantly an agricultural country, employment opportunities in the agricultural sector in the country have declined and that there is also an increasing number of jobless persons in the Industrial sector as well;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has prepared any scheme to generate employment opportunities particularly in the agricultural and industrial sector; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, sector-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)

(a&b) Reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through quinquennial labour force surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office. Last such survey was conducted during 2009-10. As per results of the two most recent surveys employment in agricultural sector in the country estimated on usual status basis has declined by about 21 million from 268 million in 2004 -05 to 247 million in 2009-10 and employment in industrial sector has increased by 17 million from 83 million in 2004-05 to 100 million in 2009-10.

(c&d) One of the objectives of the National Manufacturing Plan of the country is to increase the rate of job creation in manufacturing to create 100 million additional jobs by 2025. Moreover, Government has also been making continuous efforts by focusing on creation of productive employment at a faster pace in order to raise incomes of masses to bring about a general improvement in their living conditions. The job opportunities are created on account of growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), investment in infrastructure development, growth in exports, etc. Government of India has also been implementing various employment generation programmes, such as, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY); Prime Minister`s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP); National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) besides entrepreneurial development programmes run by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.