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Introduction:

Inclusivity is a pivotal aspect of any country’s economic growth. For India, a diverse nation with multifaceted socio-economic dimensions, achieving inclusive growth becomes even more significant. While the economy’s numerical growth may reflect prosperity, the underlying disparities and deep-rooted social norms can often hinder the benefits of this growth from reaching all sections of society.

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Role of Social Norms and Disparities in Hindering Inclusive Growth:

• Gender Inequality: 
  • Social norms, particularly in rural areas, often dictate that women should be confined to domestic roles. 
  • This drastically reduces the participation of women in the formal workforce. 
  • Even when employed, wage inequality is rampant, with women often earning less than their male counterparts for similar work.
• Caste Dynamics: 
  • Historical disparities associated with the caste system still influence employment opportunities and wages. 
  • Those belonging to lower castes often find themselves in less remunerative, manual jobs without scope for upward mobility.
• Informal Employment: 
  • A significant portion of the Indian workforce is engaged in the informal sector, with little to no job security, benefits, or appropriate working conditions. 
  • This includes street vendors, fishermen, gig workers, and others who remain outside the ambit of formal employment laws.
• Regional Disparities: 
  • Certain regions, especially those affected by conflict or geographical challenges, see limited industrial or infrastructural development, leading to unemployment and underemployment.

National Employment Policy (NEP) as a Solution:

• Twin Objectives: The NEP aims to encourage the establishment of new enterprises to generate more employment opportunities and enhance the skills of the existing workforce. By focusing on both creation and upskilling, the policy addresses the demand and supply sides of employment.
• Inclusion of Informal Sector: Recognizing the significant portion of the workforce in the informal sector, the NEP seeks to include this segment, ensuring job security, humane working conditions, and other fundamental rights that were previously denied.
• Gender Inclusion: By aiming to increase the percentage of women in the workforce, the NEP acknowledges the gender disparities in employment and aspires to rectify them.
• Skill Alignment: With a vision to align the skill set of the Indian workforce to international standards, the NEP ensures that employment is not just about quantity but also quality.
• Flexibility in Definition: Recognizing the changing nature of jobs in today’s digital age, the policy is expected to have a broader, more inclusive definition of ’employee’, which can cover gig workers, freelancers, and other new-age job roles.
• Data-Driven Approach: By relying on numerous employment surveys, including the E-shram portal’s data, the policy is poised to be grounded in reality and thus more effective.

For example, 

• The E-shram Portal, which captures data about unorganized workers, can provide invaluable insights into the conditions and needs of this significant segment.
• The recent gathering at ‘Rojgar Sansad’ exemplifies the collective call for a comprehensive employment policy and showcases the collective sentiment of various sectors of society.

Conclusion:

While the National Employment Policy is a promising step towards addressing employment challenges in India, its efficacy will lie in its implementation. Balancing traditional social norms with modern economic imperatives is crucial. The policy, supplemented by other government initiatives, can pave the way for truly inclusive economic growth, ensuring that prosperity is not just a headline figure but a tangible reality for every Indian.

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