Economic policies over past 8 yrs helped India tide over Covid impact: PM Modi at ‘Rozgar Mela’

“The central government’s help of more than Rs 3 lakh crore to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector during Covid pandemic saved over 1.5 crore jobs that were in crisis,” Modi said, addressing the Rozgar Mela (employment fair) over video conferencing after distributing 75,000 appointment letters among government job aspirants.

Speaking of the pandemic’s fallout on the economy and employment, Modi said that no one in the world expects to recover from the impact of the biggest crisis in 100 years within just 100 days. “But we have been able to shield the impact so far with everyone’s efforts. And that has been possible because over the past eight years we have removed the economic shortcomings that created hurdles,” he said.

The PM said that due to the economic policies over the past eight years, India has jumped five places from being the world’s 10th largest economy to the 5th largest.

Modi listed various schemes that generated jobs, including the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and said that to generate employment, the government is working on multiple fronts.

PM Modi said that over the past few years, Rs 20 lakh crore worth of credit has been availed through the Mudra scheme. “Over 7.5 crore beneficiaries started their businesses for the first time with Mudra loans. Seventy per cent beneficiaries are women. Over 8 crore women connected with self-help groups, and are now selling what they make,” he said.

Modi said that Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data indicates the success of India’s employment policies. “In the month of August 2022 alone, 17 lakh people joined the EPFO, in the formal economy. In that, around 8 lakh are in the age group of 18-25 years,” he said.

Modi linked the NDA government’s push for infrastructure projects with job creation saying that globally it is accepted that infrastructure creates jobs. “Thousands of kilometres of roads are being built, rail lines are being doubled, converted, electrified…airports being constructed…The government is working with a target of Rs 100 lakh crore investment in infrastructure. All this will create lakhs of local jobs and will also develop the tourism sector,” he said.

Modi said that through Digital India, 5 lakh Common Service Centres alone have provided jobs to lakhs of youth. “With the expansion of 5G, employment opportunities are going to increase even more in the digital sector,” he said.

Identifying manufacturing and tourism as the two big creators of jobs, Modi said processes are being simplified for global companies to come to India, set up their factories and fulfil global demands. “The Production Linked Incentive (scheme) is India’s policy. The more the production, the more the incentive. The benefits of this policy have started showing in many sectors,” he said.

About the recruitment drive, Modi said that it is meant to provide basic services to people faster. He also said that the drive itself is an example of the changing times. “Eight years ago, applying for a government job itself was the start of many hassles. Over the years, we have removed those hassles and simplified the processes. We have abolished interviews for Groups C and D,” he said.

The PM said that in the coming days, NDA-ruled states, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu along with central government institutions will organise similar ‘Rozgar’ ceremonies and hand out appointment letters.

Modi also exhorted new recruits to always remember their “kartavya path” (duties) towards people while doing their jobs.