Monditoka Arun Kumar, a member of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), has called on the coalition government to provide an explanation in the Legislative Council regarding the rising unemployment figures in Andhra Pradesh. Citing central statistics, he noted a significant increase in joblessness. Speaking to the press at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Arun Kumar challenged Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s assertion of having created 6.28 lakh jobs in a span of 20 months, labeling the claim as misleading and inconsistent with statements from other ministers. According to the YSRCP, there are discrepancies in job creation numbers, with Minister Ramprasad reporting 5.77 lakh and Minister Nara Lokesh claiming only 2 lakh jobs, raising doubts about the authenticity of the government’s reports.

Call for Transparency on Job Creation

Arun Kumar demanded that if the government has indeed generated 6.28 lakh jobs, complete and transparent details should be made public, including information about the locations and beneficiaries of these positions. He pointed out that if such a number had been achieved, it should have resulted in industrial growth, higher income levels, and an increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues. However, indicators show no such progress. The Periodic Labour Force Survey by the Central Government has reported an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in Andhra Pradesh. Arun Kumar noted that during the previous YSRCP administration, unemployment stood at just 4.1 percent at the end of 2023, reflecting nearly a doubling of the rate since the coalition government took office.

Criticism of Job Cuts Amid Job Claims

He criticized the government for claiming job creation while simultaneously cutting thousands of positions, including 18,000 jobs in liquor retail outlets and approximately 1,800 in AP FiberNet. Arun Kumar also expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to release an annual job calendar, despite a commitment to do so every January. He highlighted that no such calendar has been issued even after 20 months in power.

YSRCP’s Job Creation Record

Referencing the YSRCP government’s record, Arun Kumar stated that between 2019 and 2024, 6.31 lakh permanent positions were established across 27 departments, alongside initiatives for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that generated around 40 lakh job opportunities. He emphasized that the YSRCP had disclosed complete details of job beneficiaries, including their names, phone numbers, and Aadhaar information, to ensure accountability.

Concerns Over Unemployment Allowance

Arun Kumar criticized the coalition administration for neglecting its promise to offer a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000, noting that no funding has been allocated for this initiative in the current budget. He raised alarm about the escalating distress among jobless youth, referencing reports indicating that an individual in this demographic is taking their life every 18 hours in the state.

Comparison of MoUs and Job Creation Efforts

He further mentioned that from 2014 to 2019, the previous TDP government signed 1,761 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) which projected 30 lakh jobs, yet less than 8 percent of these were fulfilled. In contrast, the YSRCP government from 2019 to 2024 signed 394 MoUs aimed at generating 6.16 lakh jobs, achieving 28 percent implementation within the first year. Arun Kumar affirmed that the YSRCP remains committed to advocating for unemployed youth and will intensify efforts until the government implements the promised unemployment allowance.

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