Modi government set to unveil employment generation strategy to counter 'jobless growth'

BJP-led NDA government is likely to soon come out with an employment generation strategy to counter the criticism of jobless growth in the country.

NITI Aayog, government's premier think-tank, has been tasked with the role of formulating a comprehensive start that can create enough jobs in the country to absorb the 10 million youth that enter the workforce every year.

NITI Aayog's vice chairman Arvind Pangariya on Tuesday chaired the first meeting with trade union and employers to discuss the employment strategy prevailing elsewhere and what needs to be done in India to create more jobs.

A senior NITI Aayog official, who was part of the meeting said, that the government is considering various options to boost employment in the country.

"These include, extending special package for employment generation in labour intensive sectors like leather, gems and jewellery and electronics," the official said.

The other proposal include setting up of coastal economic zones that would enable labour intensive sectors to set shops in most hassle free manner. "This in turn will help to create millions of jobs," the official added.

The five trade unions representatives at the meeting included the RSS-affiliate Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the All India Trade Union Congress and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.

"We are open to the idea of creating coastal zones for labour intensive sectors but all labour laws should be adhered to in these zones," DL Sachdev of AITUC said.