Himachal’s Quest… Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Sunil Sharma                                (cover story)

The figure of unemployed youths in Himachal becomes a major issue in every assembly elections as it has crossed 8.5 lakh mark. Himachali youths are in quest of jobs; be it in the government or private sector. However, they face many bottlenecks in their pursuit for a job. The number of jobs in government sector is limited and industrial sector find them unskilled for jobs. As a result, skilled workers from other states walk away with job opportunities generated in this hilly state. Those having professional qualifications are forced to migrate to other states in search of a livelihood as job opportunities are limited in Himachal. The present government claimed to have provided employment to Himachali youths both in the government and private sectors. In addition, it also started skill development project that reportedly benefited 10,000 youths to acquire employable skills. However, the government failed to attract big investors to this hilly state for establishing their units that could have generated lakhs of employment opportunities. Many projects are still to be implemented

Failure Of Investor Meets

Virbhadra government had spent crores of rupees for holding investor meets in various cities. The aim was to attract reputed companies to establish their units in this hilly state that would have generated employment opportunities. It is another matter of fact that none of the companies came forward to set up units in Himachal. Investors from Himachal who have earned reputation not only in the country but in other countries also, had also expressed willingness to invest. Many of such investors had arranged private land in Kangra and Una district. Even Tata group had also undertaken a survey for strengthening Kangra tea business. But nothing could materialise for establishing units that could have generated employment opportunities.

* The government claimed of providing 70,000 jobs in past five years

* It claimed of benefiting 10,000 youths through skill development

* IT and Nano parks still in files

* Outsourced three companies

* 80% work force in industries from other states

* Industries demand experience certificate and skilled work force

* More than 8.5 lakh unemployed youths in Himachal

The Virbhadra government has claimed of providing jobs to 70,000 people during its present tenure of five years. In addition, the Congress has also promised in its election manifesto to provide employment to 1.5 lakh people in next five years, if the party forms the government after ongoing assembly election in Himachal. During past two years of its present tenure, the Congress government had generated ample employment opportunities in education, health, panchayati raj, forest and police departments. However, neither the government could present the departmental reports in Vidhan Sabha nor any agency has any concerned figures.

Jobs In Private Sector

There has been a claim of providing one lakh jobs in private sector but Industries and Labour and Employment departments don’t have any break up of this claim. The NDA government in the Centre had provided a special industrial package to this hilly state in 2003. Thereafter successive government had announced to provide 70% of employment opportunities in  private sector to Himachalis. However, the fact is that most of the industrial workforce in all industrial areas of the state is from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These areas include Badi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, Kala Amb, Tahliwal and others.  Similar is the condition in cement plants located in Himachal where most of the workers hail from other states.

Educated Youths Migrate

Educated youths of Himachal are forced to look for job opportunities in other state. And it is applicable for all trades, be it engineering, technical or others. Youths from this hilly state are employed in all cities across the country as they have limited opportunities in their home state. As jobs in government sector are limited, the private sector doesn’t provide them jobs easily. The demand for releasing a white paper on providing jobs in private sector has been raised time and again. However, no government has dared to come out with the figures.

Lingering Projects

Information technology, Nano and Biotechnology parks, if established in this hilly state, can generate lakhs of employment opportunities. The Biotechnology Parks could not be established even as all formalities have been completed. The land for same project has also been selected at Addowal. There was another proposal on similar lines for Swarghat in Bilaspur district. Many reputed developers had evinced interest in the projects. The work on the project began speedily during Dhumal government’s tenure but remained confined to files during Virbhadra government.

Skill Development  Scheme

The state government had started skill development project with an  objective to upgrade skills of Himachali youths. The Virbhadra government has claimed to train 10,000 youths under the scheme. A new concept of outsourcing services has emerged in Himachal as two companies are working in health and tourism sectors. Such companies employ persons on contract. Nobody will know the true picture about employment opportunities until any government brings out a white paper on the issue.

No Automobile Group

Himachal could not attract even a single big automobile group. Hero Honda, which had expressed willingness to establish unit here, shifted ultimately to Uttarakhand and invested hundreds of crores there. Apart from TVS group, none of the big groups agreed to invest here. There was no review at any level what went wrong that Himachal failed to attract investors. Big industrial houses did not invest here due to lack of investment friendly atmosphere. As a result, educated youths migrate to other states in quest of jobs. The biggest drawback is that industries established here demand experience certificate from youths. No government could take care of this anomaly.

Details Of Enterprises Up To 31-03-2017

Industrial Growth In Himachal

70% Employment Criteria

 Vipin Sharma

As per the Labour and Employment officials, all units are following 70 % Himachali employment norms. Though all units claim to employ 70 % Himachalis but it is a paper formality as many units employ highly skilled workforce from other states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, reveal sources.

* 43, 547 industrial units have been established with total investment of of Rs 22077.11 crore in Himachal

* This includes 4,2975 small scale, 434 medium and 138 large scale units

* Total units set up from January 1 to March 31, 2017 were 4461 with investment of Rs 5488.48 crore and employment of 62, 351

* Industrialists are mostly from other states like Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and other southern states. Himachali investors are very few in numbers.

* 33,2957 employees are employed in all industrial units. Maximum number of work force has been employed by the small scale units

* No housing colony is being constructed now.

* Infrastructure projects employ migrant labour force from Bihar, Uttra Pradesh Chattisgarh

* Himachalis don’t get employment opportunities in industrial units as there is shortage of skilled workers. Professionals move to other states for jobs as limited opportunities are available for them here

-Harbans Patial, President, Laghu Udyog Bharti

Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘Divya Himachal TV’. Also,  Download our Android App