Ex-NSC Head Rubbishes Govt Claim, Says Unemployment Data ‘Final’
The controversy over the jobs data started after two members of National Statistical Commission (NSC) quit.
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A day after NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Rajiv Kumar said that the data in the reported NSSO survey was not verified, Ex-NSC Acting Chairman PC Mohanan rubbished the claim and said that the numbers are final.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Mohanan said that the report is final and doesn’t need any further approval.
Earlier on Thursday, a Business Standard report claimed to have accessed the National Sample Survey Office's (NSSO) periodic labour force survey (PLFS). According to the survey, India's unemployment rate was at a 45-year high of 6.1 percent during 2017-18.
- The NSSO report has been held back by the government and courted controversy after two National Statistical Commission (NSC) members resigned
- Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the Modi government over the issue
- The government has defended itself for not disclosing the data and said the decision lies solely with them
- The report, revealed a day before the interim Budget, has stirred a political storm
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How Did the Controversy Start?
The controversy over the jobs data started after two members of National Statistical Commission (NSC) quit – allegedly protesting the government’s sidelining of the organisation and its refusal to release the annual NSSO employment report.
The NSSO report had been approved by the officers in December. It is also important to note that PC Mohanan and JV Meenakshi were the last two non-government members of the NSSO.
'Data in NSSO Survey Not Verified, Not Correct to Use it To Talk About Joblessness': NITI Aayog V-C
NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Rajiv said on Thursday, 31 January, that the data in the reported NSSO survey was not verified, and that it was not correct to use this data to talk about joblessness.
"The government did not release the data (on jobs) as it is still being processed. When the data is ready, we will release it," he said.
Kumar further said that it was wrong to compare the current unemployment data with 2011-12 data as the methodology was different.
Kumar refused to comment on the Business Standard report, saying it was a report that was not released by the government. He further asserted that the Indian economy had been growing at a good rate.
'Can't Grow at 7.2% and Say There Are No Jobs Being Created': Amitabh Kant
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant reiterated Vice Chairperson Rajiv Kumar's view that it is incorrect to compare the 2011-12 data.
The NITI Aayog CEO further said they were creating enough jobs for new entrants. "Our own internal analysis shows we are creating 7.8 million jobs. A whole lot of people are exiting low productivity jobs in agriculture. Aspirational people want better paying jobs," he was further quoted as saying by NDTV.
He also pointed towards the role of cab companies including Ola and Uber in job creation.
'It's Not Official Data, Have to Wait Until Govt Releases Official Data': Mohandas Pai
Reacting to the controversy over unemployment data, former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai said:
Pai further attacked the Opposition, saying the UPA government fell into the trap of jobless growth.
Unemployment Data Reiterates That Note Ban Left Us In A Shambles
The numbers coming out of the NSSO report, held back by the government and published by a newspaper, indicate several failures on the employment front. While unemployment rate is above 6 percent, the labour force participation rate too, has plunged to a historic low of 37 percent.
However, beyond these obvious numbers lie the true extent of the rot. It is now evident that demonetisation disrupted the job market massively.
Read the full story here.
Ex-NSC Head Rubbishes Govt Claim, Says Unemployment Data ‘Final’
Ex-NSC Acting Chairman PC Mohanan has rubbished the claims of the government and has said that the unemployment data numbers are final. Speaking to The Indian Express, Mohanan said that the report is final and doesn’t need any further approval.
Note Ban, GST Impact on Jobs More Than NSSO Headline Data: Report
The real impact of demonetisation and GST on the unemployment rate in the country could be far worse than what was portrayed by the headline figures given in the National Sample Survey Office’s (NSSO's) report for 2017-18.
A Business Standard report claimed that if the current weekly status (CWS) approach of the NSSO’s periodic labour force survey (LFPS) is taken into account, the unemployment rate would be significantly higher, at 8.9 percent in 2017-18, as opposed to 6.1 percent when measured using the usual status approach.
Read the full story here.