(a) Whether it is a fact that unemployment can be reduced through industralisation especially in rural areas of the country;
(b) If so, whether the Government has formulated any policy in this regard;
(c) If so, the details of target fixed by the Government for providing employment to youths;
(d) Whether any action has been taken in regard of States facing unemployment due to the closure of mills; and
(e) If so, the details thereof State-wise alongwith the action taken thereon so far?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI E.V.K.S ELANGOVAN)
(a) & (b) Industrialisation is one of the means to reduce unemployment. To address unemployment problem in rural areas, two major employment generation schemes, which are in place are
(i) Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) and
(ii) Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY). REGP is a credit linked subsidy scheme implemented through out the country for setting up labour intensive industries in rural areas and small towns. PMRY is also a credit linked subsidy scheme implemented both in rural and urban areas for providing self employment opportunities to educated unemployed youth.
(c) The target for 2005-06 in respect of ERGP is 28,837 units for creating 5.5 lakh additional employment opportunities and for PMRY 2.5 lakh units for creating 3.75 lakh job opportunities.
(d) & (e) Action on unemployment due to closure of mills is subject to labour laws, Sick Industrial Companies Act (SICA) and award of bodies like Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIER). The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) also envisages to take all necessary steps to revive industrial growth