Title: Need to solve acute unemployment problem in the country-Laid.
SHRI SUNIL KHAN (DURGAPUR) : As per mid-term appraisal of Ninth Five Year Plan and also in the Budget reflection, the growth will not be more than five percent. The value of rupee is falling down. The economic scenario of the country is in serious threat. The growth in the industrial sector, in the agricultural sector will not be what has been targeted. Non-payment of salaries to the employees in public sector is a basic problem and specially salary of 18 months to employees is due to H.S.C.L. In this situation, unemployment in the country is increasing by leaps and bounds. The number of registered unemployed youth has crossed fifty millions. The Central Government has imposed ban on recruitment in Central Government departments. The ban should be lifted so that the unemployed youth get employment in Central Government departments. Urgent steps should be taken to reduce the unemployment. In this context, I urge upon the Union Government to provide unemployment allowances like State Government of West Bengal. Withdrawal of quantitative restrictions on 1429 items has raised the specter of cheap imports flooding the Indian market. This should be stopped otherwise small scale Industry and the agricultural sector will be ruined.