Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday stated that the government was looking into the reasons behind sudden jump in unemployment rate of J&K, as projected in recently released report of CMIE.
LG Sinha pointed out that there could be a “lapse on behalf of J&K administration in providing accurate and updated data in this connection.”
He was responding to a question pertaining to 22.2 unemployment rate in J&K as projected in a recently released report of Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), during media interaction with the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman here at Raj Bhawan. The question was meant for the Union Finance Minister, however,
she after giving a general view of J&K economy and the measures being taken for its further growth, passed it on to the Lieutenant Governor as it was specifically related to the Union Territory.
“The data, which you’ve quoted, is given by CMIE. It would have been four percent in the distant past. But just four or five months ago, this (unemployment rate) was projected as 9 percent. Abhi Yeh (over 22 percent unemployment rate) Kyun Aaya Hai Uss Key Kaarno Ki Talash Hum Kar Rahey Hain…(We’re looking into the reasons as why there has been an upswing in the unemployment rate projected in the data),” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He averred that on the whole, his administration was focussing on creation/generation of self employment (opportunities), recruitment against vacancies in the government departments. “In this connection, a transparent process has been initiated. 8000-9000 people have already been recruited while the process is on for the recruitment against 20,000 posts. Even in case of self-employment generation, we’ve fixed a target of creating avenues for two lakh youth. They will be provided with training, mentoring besides financing. We’re also training and helping the youth to get employment under various schemes of the Government of India. ‘Mission Youth’ and several other programmes for employment generation are going on and are on anvil,” LG Sinha maintained.
“Main Yeh Aarop Nahin Laga Sakta Ki Yeh Aankadey Galat Hain Kyunki Kabhi Main Hi Iss Ko Quote Karta Tha Yeh Main Maan Sakta Hoon Ke Kahin Na Kahin Hamarey Yahan Se Bhi Data Deney Mein Bhi Koi Chook Hui Hogi. Mujhe Lagata Hai Do-Ek Mahiney Baad Parinaam Aapko Different Dikhega…(I cannot blame that these figures are fudged or wrong as even I used to quote them in the past. I agree that they may be some kind of lapse in providing accurate and updated data…I feel you’ll see a clear difference in the figures and you’ll be able to see a different (positive) outcome,” he assured.
Later, Lieutenant Governor again joined the Union Finance Minister in sharing some “data about investment in J&K post 370” in response to a query mentioning “slump in UT’s economy after August 5, 2019.
LG Sinha said, “We’re expecting Rs 35,000 Cr investment in J&K. We’ll clear this investment by the end of this year. The investment worth Rs 14,000 Cr has already been cleared (okayed). In terms of tourist footfall, last year J&K received 12.83 lakh tourists. Probably, during last 10-15 years, the tourist footfall would not have touched that number. You may check hotel occupancy rates to corroborate these figures. You too would be getting phone calls with the requests to get a room booked in the hotels. I do get calls on this account. You may check even the number of pilgrims visiting Vaishnodevi – a main pilgrimage centre. These facts, data will give you a clear idea about the (financial) activities here,” he said.
“If you are talking about J&K’s economy, our tax collection has increased by 53 percent in excise; our GST collection too has registered an increase. The target in GST and excise tax collection has been achieved in full. The tax collection is showing a significant growth and resilience. So on J&K has shown an improvement in terms of all parameters of economy,” LG Sinha averred.
“Yes, if you talk of Udhar Ki Arthvyavstha (economy based on borrowings). Karza Lo Aur Growth Show Karo …Aisi Nahin Chal Rahi..Sahi Mein Chal Rahi (The economy is not in dire straits…not running on borrowings..it’s actually showing growth on the ground not just on papers),” he quipped.