Planning for the poor

INDIA says it will soon enact a law to guarantee 100 days of employment to one member of a poor family as part of the government’s effort to reduce poverty and provide a social security net to millions of unemployed.

“In India we intend very soon to enact a law to provide assured employment for 100 days in a year to one person of every poor family,” Minister of Labour and Employment, Sis Ram Ola said recently. In an address at the 28th General Assembly of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Beijing, China, Ola said the government would utilise this labour force to create productive assets in rural areas such as drinking water facilities, link roads and for soil conservation and water harvesting.”In most third world countries getting an assured job is the best social security measure we can think of,” he said.Ola noted that employment generation was as much a part of social justice as a social security net.Talking to PTI later, the minister said his ministry would soon come out with specific proposals.- Nampa-PTIIn an address at the 28th General Assembly of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Beijing, China, Ola said the government would utilise this labour force to create productive assets in rural areas such as drinking water facilities, link roads and for soil conservation and water harvesting.”In most third world countries getting an assured job is the best social security measure we can think of,” he said.Ola noted that employment generation was as much a part of social justice as a social security net.Talking to PTI later, the minister said his ministry would soon come out with specific proposals.- Nampa-PTI