In the second part of the interview with Swarajya magazine, PM Modi talked about challenges in job creation and responded to the criticism on this front.
Talking about the aspect of job growth in India, PM Modi pointed out that the real problem is not job creation but the statistics that capture the movement.
PM said that more than lack of jobs, the issue is lack of data on jobs. He added that the traditional matrix of measuring jobs is simply not good enough to measure new jobs in the new economy of New India. Quoting official figures, he said that more than 41 lakh formal jobs were created from September 2017 to April 2018 based on EPFO payroll data. Accordingly, more than 70 lakh jobs were created in the formal sector last year. He added that job creation in the formal sector can have a spin off effect on job creation in the informal sector too.
PM gave figures from the improved economic and investment climate in the country to convey the message that more jobs were created.
He said that India had around 66 lakh registered enterprises from independence till July last year. In just one year, 48 lakh new enterprises got registered. More than 12 crore loans have been given under Mudra. More than one crore houses have been constructed in the last one year. Road construction has more than doubled per month. A recent international report showed how quickly poverty in India is declining. And concluded convinclingly that so much economic activity is not possible without people having jobs?
Finally, PM sought to highlight the political aspect of the debate and quoted figures given by state govt about job creation.
“There is a lack of consistency in the political debate around job creation. We have data put out by state governments on employment. Now, if states are all creating good numbers of jobs, is it possible that the country is not creating jobs?,” he said.
Clearly, PM has sought to present a balanced view that job creation has gathered pace in economy and that it is a continuous process which goes in tandem with increased economic activity and progress.