CREATING JOBS IN INDIA

               CREATING JOBS IN INDIA 

RAHUL RAMYA

11TH MARCH 2024, PATNA 

Economic reforms aimed at job creation have so far overlooked several fields with strong potential for generating a significant number of jobs. Recognizing unaccounted work through skill certification can transform informal employment into recognized, paid positions. This approach could address the pervasive issues of unemployment, particularly among women and school-educated individuals.

If the public sector, in collaboration with the private sector, establishes a comprehensive network of diploma and certificate-level skill training institutions—from the panchayat to the state level—and follows this with campus recruitment and government-certified job centres in various recognized fields, it could significantly mitigate the problem of unemployment. Moreover, it would enhance income levels and living standards. Potential areas for such initiatives include day-care work, legal assistants (such as advocates' clerks), drivers, laundry services, cleaning, data entry operators, software specialists, surveyors, shorthand and longhand writers, typists, accountants, technical supervisors, motor mechanics, and agricultural consultants, among others. A more extensive list could be developed through area-specific surveys.

The Indian economy demonstrates resilience, largely attributed to its small-scale and medium-sized industrial and service sectors. However, a significant impediment is the traditional caste associations with occupations. Many occupations remain caste-specific to this day, with exceedingly rigid boundaries. To overcome this, it is essential to introduce changes in the social value system. Additionally, the high cost of mechanical tools and the absence of cooperative movements pose further obstacles. A third barrier is the inadequate level of schooling and the deficiency of a scientific and rational perspective.

However, any strategy for mass job creation must focus on certain specific areas: data-driven, evidence-based strategies that are acceptable to the public; integration of local traditional knowledge with modern technology; cost-effectiveness; sustainability, microfinancing. Climate protection and control by local self-governments with proper multi-layered support and oversight mechanisms. Ultimately, political will and an understanding of the political economy and grassroots democracy with robust superstructure of democratic establishment are essential to unlocking the gates of success. And for all this we need campaign design efforts.