Question : Unemployment

(a) whether there has been an increase in the rate of unemployment due to the COVID-19 as compared to previous year and if so, State-wise details thereof;
(b) the State-wise details of unemployment rate on the basis of age group, rural/urban and gender;
(c) the detailed plan of steps/initiatives taken by the Government to generate jobs for youth and increase the employment in rural and urban areas during the continuance of the pandemic;
(d) the sector-wise and gender-wise details of total number of persons unemployed in Assam during the last six months;
(e) the total number of people who lost their jobs in the country due to the COVID-19 and the details thereof, sector-wise and enterprise/State-wise; and
(f) whether the Government has taken any measures to address the situation of jobless people to ensure livelihood to them and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (f): Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) on employment and unemployment is conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. As per the PLFS 2017-18 and 2018-19, the estimated unemployment rate State-wise to the extent available for persons of all ages on usual status (principal status + subsidiary status) basis in the country is given at Annexure-I.

As per the PLFS 2018-19, the State-wise estimated unemployment rate of age group, rural/urban and gender wise on usual status (principal status + subsidiary status) basis to the extent available in the country is given at Annexure-II.

As per the PLFS 2018-19, the estimated unemployment rate of male and female in Assam on usual status (principal status + subsidiary status) basis (for all ages) to the extent available was 6.5% and 7.8% respectively.

The global spread of the corona virus (COVID-19) followed by lockdowns has affected economies across the globe including India. COVID-19 has resulted in large number of migrant workers going back to their native places. Government is taking several steps to ensure that the country is well prepared to face the challenges and threats posed by Covid-19. Government of India has announced an economic package of Rs. 20 lakh crore. Aatmanirbhar Bharat which focuses on Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand to create jobs for the youth has also been launched.

Government of India, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhyan (PMGKRA), has taken various initiatives to boost rural infrastructure & rural economy to provide local employment opportunities particularly to the migrant returnees. It covers 116 districts of 6 States with a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crore and is being implemented in a mission mode campaign of 125 days through Ministry of Rural Development.

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.

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 wage, payable upto 90 days, alongwith relaxation of eligibility conditions to claim the benefit.
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.
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