Executive Summary:
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2356 regarding labour shortages in Punjab's industries, answered on August 4, 2025. The State Government of Punjab reports no major labour shortages. The response outlines several government initiatives aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, employment, and skills, including Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme launched on September 17, 2023, and the Skill India Mission (SIM).
Key Points / Main Content:
Labour Shortages in Punjab:
* The State Government of Punjab has reported that there are no major labour shortages in the state's industries.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes:
* PLI Schemes for 14 key sectors have been announced with an outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore.
* Purpose: To enhance India's manufacturing capabilities and exports, attract investments, ensure efficiency, and make Indian manufacturers globally competitive.
* Potential Outcome: Significantly boosting production, employment, and economic growth over the next five years.
* The 14 Key Sectors are: i Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components, ii Critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, iii Manufacturing of Medical Devices iv Automobiles and Auto Components, v Pharmaceuticals Drugs, vi Specialty Steel, vii Telecom & Networking Products, viii Electronic Technology Products, ix White Goods (ACs and LEDs), x Food Products, xi Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles, xii High efficiency solar PV modules, xiii Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery, and xiv Drones and Drone Components.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme:
* Launched on September 17, 2023.
* Target Beneficiaries: Artisans and craftspeople of 18 trades who work with their hands and tools.
* Support Provided: Marketing, branding, packaging, skill upgradation, etc., across the country including Punjab.
Skill India Mission (SIM):
* Implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
* Activities: Skill, reskill, and upskill training delivered through skill development centers under various schemes.
* Schemes: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
* Objective: To equip Indian youth with industry-relevant skills.
Impact Analysis:
Industries in Punjab:
* Impact: Addressed by multiple schemes to support and improve production and competitiveness
* Action Required: To be aware of and apply for relevant schemes to leverage potential benefits
Artisans and Craftspeople:
* Impact: Eligible for support under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
* Action Required: To register for the PM Vishwakarma Scheme to avail benefits like marketing, branding, and skill upgradation.
Youth of India:
* Impact: Access to skill development and training opportunities through the Skill India Mission.
* Action Required: Engage with Skill India Mission programs to acquire industry-relevant skills.
Key Entities Referenced
Punjab: A state in India, mentioned in the context of labor shortages in its industries and beneficiaries of government schemes.
SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI: Member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about labor shortages in Punjab.
SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: Minister of State for Labour and Employment who provided the answer to the question.
Production Linked Incentive PLI Schemes: Government schemes aimed at enhancing India's manufacturing capabilities and exports across 14 key sectors.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme: A scheme launched to support artisans and crafts people across the country, including Punjab.
Skill India Mission SIM: A Government of India initiative under which skill development programs are implemented.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship MSDE: The ministry responsible for delivering skill, reskill, and upskill training through various schemes under the Skill India Mission.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where the question regarding labor shortages was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2356
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN PUNJAB
2356. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether it is true that industries in Punjab are facing a major
shortage of labourers as a large number of migrant workers have
not returned, if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether the said shortage is affecting the key industries like
textiles, bicycles, auto parts, and hosiery and if so, the details
thereof;
(c)whether the Government has assessed the impact of migrant
workers on production and exports; and
(d)if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government
to solve the problem, such as attracting the workers back, training
of local youth or offering help to the industries?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (d): The State Government of Punjab has reported that there
are no major labour shortages in the state's industries. However,
keeping in view India's vision of becoming 'Atmanirbhar', Production
Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes for 14 key sectors were announced
with an outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore to enhance India's Manufacturing
capabilities and Exports.
The 14 sectors are: (i) Mobile Manufacturing and
Specified Electronic Components, (ii) Critical Key Starting
Materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients,
(iii) Manufacturing of Medical Devices (iv) Automobiles and Auto
Components, (v) Pharmaceuticals Drugs, (vi) Specialty Steel, (vii)
Telecom & Networking Products, (viii) Electronic / Technology
Contd..2/-:: 2 ::
Products, (ix) White Goods (ACs and LEDs), (x) Food Products, (xi)
Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles, (xii) High
efficiency solar PV modules, (xiii) Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC)
Battery, and (xiv) Drones and Drone Components.
The purpose of the PLI Schemes is to attract investments
in key sectors and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiency and
bring economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector and
make Indian companies and manufacturers globally competitive.
These schemes have the potential of significantly boosting
production, employment and economic growth over the next five
years or so.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched on
17.09.2023 to provide end-to-end support to artisans and crafts
people of 18 trades who work with their hands and tools. Under the
scheme, PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries across the country including
Punjab, are provided support for marketing, branding, packaging,
skill upgradation etc.
Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM) ,
the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive
network of skill development centres under various schemes, viz.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan
Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training
Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society across the country
including the rural areas of Punjab. The SIM aims at enabling youth
of India to get future ready, equipped with industry relevant skills.
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