(a) whether the Government is aware of World Bank research that the proportion of jobs threatened by automation in India is 69 percent and the technology could fundamentally disrupt the pattern of traditional path;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereof;
(c) whether the Government has identified the sectors likely to be hit hard by automation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL):
(a): Yes Sir. According to the World Development Report, 2016 of World Bank titled ‘Digital Dividends’, the unadjusted estimated share of employment that is susceptible to automation for India is around 69%. The estimated share of employment, adjusted for technological feasibility and adoption time lags is 42.58%.
(b), (c) and (d): The technology automation has not replaced labour, but improved productivity and provided workers the time to focus on other tasks involving complex decision making and social interactions. In fact, the adoption of new technology creates jobs, increases productivity, and increasing the demand for skilled labour.
Employment generation has been one of the most important priorities of the Government. Employment generation is both a cause and consequence of economic growth and is impacted by demographic shifts and technological transformations.
For skilling to provide employment, a new ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has established to coordinate the skill activities across ministries. In order to improve the employability of youth, around 20 ministries run skill development schemes across 70 sectors.
Government bodies like National Skill Development Council (NSDC) and the Sector Skills Council (SSC) address the present and the future requirements of identifying the unique job roles and the skills require for the same.
In addition, Government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging private sector in the economy, fast-tracking various projects involving substantial investment and increasing public expenditure on schemes like PM’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) run by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MGNREGS, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) run by Ministry of Rural Development and Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) run by Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Further information of the details of the schemes may be sought from respective ministries/ departments. Government has also decided to strategically promote labour intensive manufacturing and expand employment opportunities by promoting tourism and agro based industries.