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The CPI(M) has said the claims made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government about the number of jobs being created are baseless. An editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, People’s Democracy, said the unemployment rate is rising every day.
Educated unemployed
Citing a huge number of applicants for various vacancies in the States and Union territories, the party said it shows the enormity of the situation of the educated unemployed. The editorial said that on September 17, 1.9 crore applicants appeared for the Railway Recruitment Board exam to fill 62,907 vacancies for Group D jobs, and added that a large number of those who appeared were postgraduates. “A large number of those who applied are over-qualified for the posts. This shows the enormity of educated unemployment,” it added. The party further said that a study conducted by the Azim Premji University found that unemployment rate among graduates is three times the national average of all unemployed.
“According to a national youth survey conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, between 2007 and 2016, the number of respondents who preferred government jobs increased from 62 per cent to 65 per cent,” the party added.
It said that the reason for such a situation is that the jobs available at present are in the informal sector, where there is no job security, the incomes are low and quality of work is poor.
“This is what compels even postgraduates and engineers to apply for Class IV jobs in the Railways, or, other government-related sectors. At least they hope to get a permanent job and various social security benefits,” the editorial added.
The party alleged that the Centre’s policies — primarily demonitisation — have destroyed jobs. “According to a widely cited study by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), 35 lakh jobs were lost due to the impact of demonetisation,” the editorial added.
“Modi government’s policies have perpetuated the agrarian crisis, resulting in high rural unemployment. The policies of privatisation and opening up of all basic services to the market have resulted in a bulk of employment being in the informal sector. It is here that there is maximum exploitation with no minimum wages, job security and social security benefits,” said the editorial.
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