Advisory Committee recommends measures to tackle unemployment

REVITALIZING ASSAM'S ECONOMY

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Advisory Committee for Revitalization of Economy of Assam headed by retired IAS officer Subhash Chandra Das has recommended several short, medium and long-term measures to tackle the unemployment problem caused by COVID-19-driven lockdown.

The Assam Government had constituted the Advisory Committee in the backdrop of the situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown.

The Committee has observed that provisioning of employment or livelihood at this moment required to be planned keeping in view of the following five sections of people: persons rendered jobless locally, workers returning to villages from various places within the State as a result of lockdown, migrants returning from other States particularly those who have lost their livelihood during lockdown, educated unemployed youths and all others who may join the rank of the unemployed in due course of time.

The Committee feels that the government, private and other sectors would have to set short and medium-term targets to create sizeable jobs opportunities by April, 2021 in order to tackle unemployment problem effectively. The targets set by the committee are 1 lakh by the government sector (regular salaried jobs), 2.50 lakh by the private sector (wage employment), 5 lakh by self-employment in the agriculture and allied sectors, and 3 lakh by self-employment in the non-agriculture sector. It is also estimated that 6 lakh job opportunities could be created under MGNREGA by April, 2021.

The Committee, while making several recommendations to help those whose jobs are at stake due to lockdown, has asked the government to enhance the amount currently being provided to the migrant workers from the State – particularly those who are staying back in their places of work under the 'Assam Cares' scheme. The amount should be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 and the scheme should be extended till August, the Committee proposed.

While works under MGNREGA should be emphasized and accelerated, the State Government should introduce a 'Top-up Employment Programme' for additional days of work up to 50 days to allow employment days to go beyond the limit of 100 days if necessary.

The Committee has recommended that the registration of the eligible left-out construction workers be completed under the 'Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act 1996' at an early date. All construction workers belonging to the State — but registered in other States where they were working — should also automatically get registered in Assam under the Act. Further applicability of the Act should be extended to workers associated with brick manufacturing, paver block manufacturing, road roller operator, excavator operator, wood cutters and allied workers.

It has also recommended that all registered construction workers should be provided with Rs 10,000 as one-time immediate relief from the fund under the 'Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act 1996' which will require Rs 280 crore only.

The Committee has advised the government to open a digital portal to map the available skill manpower in the State.  

Also watch: Morning Bulletin | 3rd June, 2020