𝒹𝓸𝓶 𝟫𝟢𝟢𝟢

A dangerous development in our economy is that many Indians don't want to work anymore. Ten years ago, 43% of Indians of working age were employed. Now, that has dropped to less than 39%. This is because a large number of them have stopped looking for work. A decade ago, 51% of working-age Indians were either employed or wanted to work. Now, that is down to just 44%. That means far more people have dropped out of the job market than have merely lost jobs. This is a pincer effect of two different economic phenomena — The first is that increased freebies mean that the poorest can survive without working. The second is that the quality of jobs has deteriorated in the past 10 years, and some among the poor feel there's nothing to be gained from working. The counter-argument — that this could be a sign of greater prosperity — doesn't hold either. In economies where higher household incomes have caused some family members to stop working, men have remained in the job market; only women have dropped out. In our case, the percentage of men working or wanting jobs has also dropped from 77% in 2016 to less than 71% now. (All data is from CMIE's Consumer Pyramid Household Surveys)

A dangerous development in our economy is that many Indians don't want to work anymore. Ten years ago, 43% of Indians of working age were employed. Now, that has dropped to less than 39%. This is because a large number of them have stopped looking for work. A decade ago, 51% of working-age Indians were either employed or wanted to work. Now, that is down to just 44%. That means far more people have dropped out of the job market than have merely lost jobs. This is a pincer effect of two different economic phenomena — The first is that increased freebies mean that the poorest can survive without working. The second is that the quality of jobs has deteriorated in the past 10 years, and some among the poor feel there's nothing to be gained from working. The counter-argument — that this could be a sign of greater prosperity — doesn't hold either. In economies where higher household incomes have caused some family members to stop working, men have remained in the job market; only women have dropped out. In our case, the percentage of men working or wanting jobs has also dropped from 77% in 2016 to less than 71% now. (All data is from CMIE's Consumer Pyramid Household Surveys)

Just look at these salaries. A scientist after 11 years gets basic pay of 1,23,000. With DA, allowances might reach 2 lakhs or thereabouts. There’s a challenge with govt salaries, but this won’t attract the best talent.

Are we a fuel-surplus country?

So, I am back from a holiday in the hills, Ukd. I had to spend approx 50k on flight tickets. Not that I wanted but because I had to. The only train that would have taken me there without require additional leave, got sold out within 2/3 minutes. Either I had to plead, cajole, beg