New Delhi, July 20 (FN Bureau) Opposition parties may be cornering the Modi government over jobs but latest official data paints a positive picture. Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Labour and Employment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) points to a declining trend in unemployment in the country over the past few years. “As per the latest available Annual PLFS reports, the estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above was 5.8%, 4.8%, 4.2% and 4.1% during 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively, which shows that the unemployment rate in the country has declining trend,” Yadav said in his written reply.
He also noted that the estimated Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above shows an increasing trend in the labour force. In a separate question in the Upper House, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said that Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have together recommended 4,63,205 candidates for appointment at various posts between April 2018 and March 2023. “Apart from this, SSC and RRBs have recommended 1,03,196 candidates for appointment in the 1st quarter of 2023-24,” he said.