Govt promoting labour intensive manufacturing, says minister

The government has launched various schemes aimed at increasing production and productivity which make agriculture sector more viable. Besides, the government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging private sector, fast-tracking of various projects involving substantial investment and increasing public expenditure on various job schemes.

These include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pundit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Deendyal Antodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

ASPIRE (A scheme for promotion of Innovation, Rural Industry and Entrepreneurship) was launched to set up a network of technology centres and to set up incubation centres to accelerate entrepreneurship in agro-industry. The individuals trained under the ASPIRE scheme of ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) can become agri-enterpreneurs/ entrepreneurs and can seek financial support under different schemes of the government, including Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) under which loans are provided by banks and subsidy to the extent of 15-35 per cent is given by the central government.  Individuals can also seek employment in the related industry or can seek further higher skills/training.

The ministry of tourism has two schemes for the promotion of tourism. These are:

Under these schemes, the ministry of tourism, as part of its on-going activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international and domestic markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country. Promotions are also undertaken through the social media accounts and website of the ministry. In addition, the India Tourism Offices in India and overseas disseminate information and undertake various promotional activities with the objective of showcasing the varied tourist destinations and products of the country.

The ministry of tourism has also launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Integrated Development of theme-based tourist circuits for development of tourism infrastructure, including last mile connectivity in the country.  Recognising the potential of rural tourism in the country, the ministry has identified Rural Circuit as one of the thematic circuits identified for development under this scheme and looks at leveraging tourism as a force multiplier for revitalising the rural economy and for giving both domestic and international tourists a glimpse of the rural aspect of the country.

The National Manufacturing Policy identifies employment intensive industries like textiles and garments, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery and food processing, etc as special focus attention sectors. The policy provides special attention to small scale industries as they offer employment opportunities both for self-employment and jobs across diverse geographies.