Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2006-07 says there’s an urgent need to stimulate growth in areas which demand more labour, like non-farm, unorganised sectors
While 55 per cent of the Maharashtra’s workforce still depends on agriculture, the figure has been falling for sometime now. But that does not necessarily mean farmers have been successfully shifting into other sectors.
Employment in the organised sector has also decreased continuously over the past few years. These are some of the observations made by the latest edition of the Economic Survey of Maharashtra which focuses on the financial year 2006-07.
The survey stressed that, due to these facts, there is an urgent need to stimulate a growth pattern which generates greater demand for labour and also encourages labour to shift from agriculture to non-agricultural employment, resulting in expansion in non-agricultural, unorganised sector jobs.
JOB GROWTH VERY MARGINAL
The state has about 45 per cent of its population in the age group of 15-40 years, which has to be brought into the economic growth mainstream, the survey said, suggesting to promote non-farm and unorganised sector employment.
According to statistics, the average daily factory employment in the state for 2005 was 12.6 lakh, 5.5 per cent more than that for 2004. As per the data collected under Employment Market Information Programme, the total employment as on March 31, 2006, in public and private sectors together was 36.1 lakh against 35.4 during the previous year. The growth is very marginal against the growing unemployment.
During 2005-06, employment provided under the Employment Guarantee Scheme was 16.9 crore person-days as against 22.2 crore person-days provided during the previous year. This shows that the prevalent job scenario is not too encouraging.
SMEs A KEY FOR DEVELOPMENT
The survey pointed out that it is the small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) which are critical for industrial development as they provide the basis to cater to the demands of the big industry houses. “The emphasis needs to be given to develop them according to fast changing market conditions,” it added.
The survey pointed out that providing adequate credit, introduction of new technology, infrastructure, skilled and technical labour force are some of the areas that require immediate attention. In the context of a growing knowledge economy, the demand for skilled and technical personnel is increasing.
BETTER TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT NEEDED
The Economic Survey noted that it is high time to organise programmes for skill development, vocational training and technical education on a much larger scale than even before.
Highlighting that there is a huge scope for employment opportunities in financial services, tourism, hotels, construction, information and bio-technology, the survey said competitive advantage of this sector needs to be given a boost by creating a conducive environment which will not only generate employment but also accelerate the state’s economic growth.
While 55 per cent of the Maharashtra’s workforce still depends on agriculture, the figure has been falling for sometime now. But that does not necessarily mean farmers have been successfully shifting into other sectors.
Employment in the organised sector has also decreased continuously over the past few years. These are some of the observations made by the latest edition of the Economic Survey of Maharashtra which focuses on the financial year 2006-07.
The survey stressed that, due to these facts, there is an urgent need to stimulate a growth pattern which generates greater demand for labour and also encourages labour to shift from agriculture to non-agricultural employment, resulting in expansion in non-agricultural, unorganised sector jobs.
JOB GROWTH VERY MARGINAL
The state has about 45 per cent of its population in the age group of 15-40 years, which has to be brought into the economic growth mainstream, the survey said, suggesting to promote non-farm and unorganised sector employment.
According to statistics, the average daily factory employment in the state for 2005 was 12.6 lakh, 5.5 per cent more than that for 2004. As per the data collected under Employment Market Information Programme, the total employment as on March 31, 2006, in public and private sectors together was 36.1 lakh against 35.4 during the previous year. The growth is very marginal against the growing unemployment.
During 2005-06, employment provided under the Employment Guarantee Scheme was 16.9 crore person-days as against 22.2 crore person-days provided during the previous year. This shows that the prevalent job scenario is not too encouraging.
SMEs A KEY FOR DEVELOPMENT
The survey pointed out that it is the small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) which are critical for industrial development as they provide the basis to cater to the demands of the big industry houses. “The emphasis needs to be given to develop them according to fast changing market conditions,” it added.
The survey pointed out that providing adequate credit, introduction of new technology, infrastructure, skilled and technical labour force are some of the areas that require immediate attention. In the context of a growing knowledge economy, the demand for skilled and technical personnel is increasing.
BETTER TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT NEEDED
The Economic Survey noted that it is high time to organise programmes for skill development, vocational training and technical education on a much larger scale than even before.
Highlighting that there is a huge scope for employment opportunities in financial services, tourism, hotels, construction, information and bio-technology, the survey said competitive advantage of this sector needs to be given a boost by creating a conducive environment which will not only generate employment but also accelerate the state’s economic growth.