Question : Urban Unemployment

WILL the MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the large scale migration of people from the rural areas to the urban areas is one of the main reasons for urban unemployment and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the development of economic opportunities in urban areas is not in accordance with the extent of migration; and

(c) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the capacity of urban areas in order to create employment opportunities and encompassing the rapid development of urban labour force?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MIINSTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (b): Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation does not have any data which supports the contention that migration to urban areas from rural areas is the main reason for urban unemployment.

(c): This Ministry is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, “Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)” to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in an appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis. The Mission has been extended to all statutory towns in the country in February, 2016. Besides, the Government has increased public expenditure on Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) run by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. Government has also decided to strategically promote labour-intensive manufacturing and expand employment opportunities by promoting tourism and agro-based industries. A new Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana” has been announced in the Budget for Rs. 2016-17 with the objective of promoting employment generation. A new Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has been established to enhance skilling programme and to coordinate skilling activities across Ministries.

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