Down To Earth speaks to Binoy Viswam, MP, about the country's unemployment crisis
Binoy Viswam, Member of Parliament who introduced a private Bill in Rajya Sabha last year for an urban employment guarantee scheme, talks to Rajit Sengupta of Down To Earth about how the Bill can help resolve the country’s unemployment crisis. Edited excepts:
Rajit Sengupta (RS): What prompted you to introduce the private bill last year?
Binoy Viswam (BV): There is a general consensus among the Parliamentarians and the people that unemployment is on the rise, especially among the youth. India has not seen such a high rate of unemployment in the past four decades or so.
The current levels are comparable to what existed in the 1950s-70s. At that time, I was part of a youth movement where thousands of unemployed people from across the country came to New Delhi to stage a protest outside Parliament.
Our slogan was "Jobs or Jail". We are in a similar state of desperation now. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised adding 20 million jobs a year, the reality is that the unemployed population has only increased since.
RS: The bill talks of unskilled and semi-skilled work alone. Will it be able to arrest unemployment among educated youth?
BV: The bill is just the first step to start the discussion in Parliament. The final shape will be much more evolved and complete. I am in consultation with stakeholders to understand how to better the bill. When the bill is discussed in Parliament, I will propose amendments. I am sure fellow Parliamentarians from across parties will also contribute and improve the bill.
RS: Down To Earth’s reportage from Rajasthan and Kerala show that state-level schemes on guaranteed employment find few takers in urban areas, compared to rural. Do you agree?
BV: Every jobless person is desperate for a source of livelihood. So I do not agree with this division between rural and urban or educated and uneducated. The discussion should be around how to make employment a basic right for all.
RS: Down To Earth found that state governments are not allocating enough funds to their schemes. Why is it so?
BV: I am not surprised. The state’s share from the Union budget is progressively being reduced in the country. This is bound to have an impact on welfare schemes. A central Act will reduce the financial burden on state governments.
RS: Is today’s unemployment due to the rising young population?
BV: India is fortunate to have a large working population. The country should focus on ways to harness the same and pivot development. Instead, the budget for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is going down. This will change only when people take up the cause and become the catalyst.
This was first published in the 16-31 July, 2023 print edition of Down To Earth
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.