The Hindu : National : Commission's term extended

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005

National

National

Commission's term extended

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 15. The Centre has extended the term of the National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised/Informal Sector to three years. Established for one year, the Commission's term will now end in September 2007.

Ashok Sengupta, chairperson of the Commission, announced this at a press conference here today. Set up by the Government to examine the problems faced by the enterprises in the unorganised/informal sector and suggest measures for generation of large-scale employment opportunities on a sustainable basis, the Commission has been asked to make suggestions for enhancing the competitiveness of the informal sector in the emerging global environment, and strengthening its linkages with its institutional framework in credit, raw material, infrastructure, technology upgradation, skill development and marketing.

Mr. Sengupta said the Commission had started work on the various elements of its terms of reference. It was engaged in examining a national employment strategy based on consultation with the State Governments, non-government associations, and other relevant stakeholders. The Commission will suggest an employment strategy that is market-oriented and market-driven in the context of globalisation.

The Commission has undertaken to review the status of the unorganised/informal sector, including the nature of enterprises, their size, spread and scope of employment. It is also analysing the existing data and reports of various other expert committees and study groups and examining the existing arrangements for estimating employment.

The Commission is also considering the reports of the National Commission on Statistics on the subject and plans to undertake a methodological study on estimation of employment in the informal sector.

It has drawn up a proposal to address the issues of urban unemployment in line with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. The proposal would serve to target urban unemployment and include the urban areas in the employment initiatives of the Government. Also, within the existing resource allocation and provisions, the Employment Guarantee Programme could be extended to urban areas.

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