Jobless Nation

By Shivam Saklani

At the launch event of his book, “I do what I do”, former RBI governor, Raghuram Rajan talked about the job deficit which young Indians are facing.

In a country like India, where a million new people enter market, searching for job, every month. Rajan said, “If we don’t provide jobs to these youths, we will have a million frustrated youth which would eventually create a lot of social mischief.

With the rate India’s population is growing, it is sure that India, will be world’s biggest labour force by 2027, if not early. With the scarce job opportunities and the threat of automation looming over, India surely has a herculean task waiting for it in future. Modi’s jobs record is even poorer than that of much maligned Congress. The scale of this failure is enormous, since the brigade of unemployed youth keeps on increasing.

Realizing that the problem is like an iceberg, much bigger than it seems, PM Modi, in his recent cabinet reshuffle replaced skill development minister, Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudi, with oil minister, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan. Labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya also got replaced by junior minister, Mr. Santosh Gangwar.

These two ministries are very important in this regard, as even a minute change in any of their policies affect millions of people, but, can only changing the charioteer, fix the already dilapidated chariot?

Mr. Pradhan can’t probably pull a miracle before the next election, but he could start by taking baby steps, but in right direction. He can review and create appropriate skilling programs in the areas where the jobs are, or are likely to be created.

He can also prioritize the inculcation of informal skilling systems which are prevalent from the time immemorial. Mr. Gangwar too has a big task at and. The new Labour code passed by government needs to become a law, and he has to ensure that a conductive environment and adequate opportunities are created in the sector where the skilled labour is being produced. Amidst soaring expectation of people as well as their own cabinet, it would be very interesting to see that if government takes a few more steps in regard especially before elections.