MIXED-UP CONFUSION!
Days after the Modi sarkar firmly claimed that the National Sample Survey Office’s (NSSO) labour survey report was a mere “draft” and not the final word as is being widely reported, labour and employment minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar stated in the Lok Sabha that the National Statistical Commission (NSC) had approved the report.
Rather awkward for the government. The labour minister seemed to endorse the views of two members of the NSC, who had resigned citing displeasure with the government’s decision to hold back the report, which stated that unemployment rate was the highest in 45 years. The report requires the NSC’s approval after which the NSSO is supposed to make it public.
Babu observers were bemused. Why would the labour minister make such a comment, which contradicts the government’s stated stance? Some speculate that Mr Gangwar was possibly misled by the babus in the ministry. That perhaps is the safest assumption. The other of course is that perhaps there is dissension in the Cabinet which is now beginning to surface!