Research or drivel?

A think-tank of the Planning Commission, impressively named the Institute of Applied Manpower Research has published a paper titled " Joblessness and Informalization: Challenges to Inclusive Growth in India ". TOI, 9 February. This claims that the number of jobs added under this government has been casual labor with little or no social security. It says that between 2005-10, 15 million jobs shifted out of agriculture, whose share of total employment fell from 57% to 53%, while 18 million jobs were added in the construction industry because the government made huge investments in infrastructure. " Out of 44 million total employment in construction by 2010, 42 million ( informal labour ) hardly have any kind of social security benefit attached with it. In other words, 95% of workers in the construction sector hardly have any kind of social security coverage," said the report. We know that the Planning Commission is an arm of the government so its reports are highly suspect but even by its standards this has to qualify as absolute drivel. No taxpayer in India has any social security support in case of loss of job or medical expenses, which have become exorbitant. Agricultural labor have the security of the NREGA scheme which pays for 100 days of fictitious employment every year, which means that a couple can avail of payment for 200 days every year. This has been shown to be responsible for the double digit food inflation as labor costs have soared. If people are still choosing to move into construction then they must be making more money as casual labor in this industry than in agriculture where they are paid for doing nothing. Construction has exploded in India not so much because of infrastructure, which is way behind schedule, but because of the rise in property prices by a factor of 10. Apartments which were selling for Rs 3 million in 2002 are now being priced at Rs 30 million. Every company, no matter what its core competence, rushed into construction. Greedy state governments have seized this opportunity to increase what is known as " Circle Rate " which is the official price for any property depending on its location and size. This has meant that most of the price has now got to be paid in white money and the government rakes in vast amounts in registration charges and stamp duty. At some point the market will seize up when the proverbial will really hit the fan. The paper says that manufacturing lost 5 million jobs while the services sector added only 4 million jobs between 2005-10. Surely due to inflation. It calls for " inclusive growth " which is just an excuse for bribing what the Congress sees as its " vote bank ". Already our most revered Minister for Corporate Affairs has promised farmers that all loans will again be forgiven. Are they going to sacrifice the entire nation just to win the next election?