Reforms, policies over 8 years made India 5th largest economy, helped deal with Covid

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that India’s economic policies and reforms implemented over the past eight years have enabled the country to navigate the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. During the launch of the Rozgar Mela, a government initiative aimed at recruiting 10 lakh people over 18 months, Modi emphasized the significant support provided to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, amounting to over Rs 3 lakh crore during the pandemic, safeguarding more than 1.5 crore jobs in crisis.

On the same day, 75,000 new employees in 38 Union ministries and departments received appointment letters at events held across the country. Modi, addressing the audience via videoconference, assured that additional recruitment letters would be distributed in the coming days. He announced that NDA-ruled states, as well as Union Territories such as Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, along with Central government institutions, would organize similar Rozgar ceremonies to issue appointment letters.

Addressing the global impact of the pandemic on employment and the economy, the Prime Minister acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the crisis, stating that recovery from the biggest crisis in a century within a hundred days is not a global expectation. He credited the resilience demonstrated thus far to collective efforts and attributed it to the removal of economic shortcomings over the last eight years.

Modi highlighted India’s economic progress, moving from the world’s 10th largest economy to the 5th largest, owing to the implemented policies. He enumerated various job-generating schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, emphasizing the government’s multifaceted efforts to promote employment.

The Prime Minister emphasized the role of innovators, entrepreneurs, industrialists, farmers, and individuals in various sectors in making India self-reliant. He stressed the importance of “Sabka Prayas” (everyone’s effort) in ensuring that essential amenities reach everyone.

Modi referred to the success of employment policies by citing data from the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), indicating that 17 lakh people joined the formal economy in August 2022 alone. He linked the government’s focus on infrastructure projects to job creation and highlighted the target of Rs 100 lakh crore investment in infrastructure.

Identifying manufacturing and tourism as significant job creators, Modi highlighted efforts to simplify processes for global companies to set up operations in India. He also mentioned the positive impact of the Production Linked Incentive scheme in various sectors.

Regarding the Rozgar Mela, Modi noted that it signifies a shift in the application process for government jobs, simplifying procedures and eliminating interviews for Groups C and D. He urged the new employees to uphold their duties to the people while performing their jobs. The appointed individuals will join various levels in Group A and B (Gazetted), Group B (Non-Gazetted), and Group C, covering positions such as Central armed force personnel, sub-inspectors, constables, LDC, steno, PA, income tax inspectors, and MTS, among others.