As per the data published by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) India’s unemployment rate rose to 7.45% in February from 7.14% in the previous month.
The urban unemployment rate declined to 7.93% in February from 8.55% in the previous month, while the rural unemployment rate rose to 7.23% from 6.48%. The figures are quite worrying because rural employment becomes far more critical in the overall economic and social justice frame of things.
Employing educated rural youth from economically poor backgrounds will create jobs for their families, empower society and the nation, and the rural youth’s contribution will be significant in reclaiming the lost forest cover.
Rural unemployment in India is a significant challenge the country has faced for many years. India’s rural areas account for a significant portion of the country’s population, and unemployment in these areas has a significant impact on the overall economy and social well-being of the country. Here are some key facts and numbers related to rural unemployment in India:
According to data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the unemployment rate in rural India was 6.5% in 2017-18. However, it is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on employment in India, and the unemployment rate may have increased since then.
The agriculture sector is the primary source of employment in rural areas, accounting for about half of all jobs. However, the sector has been facing various challenges such as low productivity, lack of access to credit and markets, and climate change, which have led to a decline in employment opportunities.
Other sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and services also provide employment opportunities in rural areas, but these sectors are often characterized by low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of job security.
The government of India has launched various initiatives and programs to address rural unemployment, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment to every rural household in India. Other programs such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) aim to provide skill training and create self-employment opportunities in rural areas.
Despite these efforts, rural unemployment remains a significant challenge in India, and addressing this issue will require sustained policy efforts and investments in various sectors to create more employment opportunities and improve the overall economic and social conditions in rural areas.
Please note that the exact numbers related to rural unemployment in India may vary depending on the source and methodology used to estimate them, and the situation may have evolved since the most recent data was collected.
Training and Skilling rural India
Selection and shortlisting criteria:-
The selection of candidates for various activities planned and initiated by Planet Makers will be meticulously executed. Candidates will be selected based on their qualifications and economic background.
1. The selected candidates will be called ‘Planet Makers’
2. Graduates from economically weaker sections would be the first criteria and preference for shortlisting.
3. Economic weaker sections are categorized based on the data and information provided by the Government authorities.
4. The primary factor determining the selection of the candidate is their economic background, they should belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family or economically weaker section
5. Verification of the candidate’s background will also be carried out to identify the right candidates for the task.
Training and Skilling the candidates: –
1. Overview of the objectives and initiatives by Planet Makers would be explained in detail
2. Long-term objectives and goals for the selected group will be briefed
3. Specific tasks for the period will be elaborated
4. The tasks vary based on the periodicity and the previous tasks
5. Post the plantation drive, the saplings need to be regularly watered to enable them to grow into full-fledged trees
6. Water sources would be created or identified for these tasks.
Performance evaluation, Recognition, and Career Growth
Performance Evaluation: –
1. Perseverance and hard work are the only factors that determine the performance of the Planet Makers
2. Monthly performance will be evaluated based on the overall efforts by the Planet Makers
3. The monthly performance will be evaluated on the total number of saplings planted, nurtured, and watered
4. Each team will have to manage the sapling watering, nurturing, and growing
5. The team should regularly send video footage of the watering activity and the growth of the saplings
6. Evaluation team will regularly and periodically check the growth of the saplings
Recognition and Career Growth: –
1. Recognition will be based on the overall performance of the Planet Makers.
2. The performance evaluation team periodically evaluates the teams’ on-ground action vis-à-vis the results and identifies the deserving team member for recognition.
3. The growth of well-performing will be a motivation to every PlanetMaker and their performance will be lauded and followed upon