Regarding need to promote labour-intensive industries and MSMEs to address the situation arising out of unemployment in the country-Laid

Regarding need to promote labour-intensive industries and MSMEs to address the situation arising out of unemployment in the country-Laid DR. MALLU RAVI (NAGARKURNOOL): The growing challenge of unemployment in the country, including the State of Telangana, continues to adversely affect youth, women and educated job seekers. As per the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) monthly data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (April 2025), the all-India unemployment rate stood at 5.1% for persons aged 15 years and above. Alarmingly, youth unemployment (15?29 years) was much higher at 13.8%, with urban youth unemployment at 17.2%. Female youth unemployment in urban areas exceeded 23%, reflecting severe gender disparity in employment access. The situation in Telangana is particularly worrying, as PLFS trends indicate that urban unemployment in the State remains above the national average, especially among educated youth and first-time job seekers. Despite rapid urbanisation and growth in the services and IT sectors, quality job creation has not kept pace with the rising labour force, notably in Hyderabad and surrounding regions. Persistent unemployment and underemployment are causing economic distress, social insecurity and erosion of the demographic dividend, particularly among young people. I urge the Government to adopt targeted job-creation measures, strengthen market-aligned skill development, and promote labour-intensive industries and MSMEs, with special focus on youth and women in States like Telangana.