CBSE 2022 · Region 2 · Set 1 · Q13

Read the following text carefully. Answer questions number $\displaystyle 13$ (a) and $\displaystyle 13$ (b) on the basis of the given text and common understanding :

Year $\displaystyle 2020$ began with the once-in-a-century pandemic, which saw the frontline workers working tirelessly to save human lives from COVID-19. The pandemic caused its ripples on the economy and on social sectors. Governments, at all levels, intervened in a timely manner to respond to the pandemic.

India has one of the lowest case fatalities rates of less than $\displaystyle 1$·$\displaystyle 5$%. India has been able to save lakhs of lives through its effective policy responses. Public spending on social sector was increased in $\displaystyle 2020$ – $\displaystyle 21$ to mitigate the hardships caused by the pandemic and the loss to livelihood due to the lockdown.

The lockdown period saw the growth of the ‘gig economy’ and increasing ‘work from home’ in the organised sector. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report $\displaystyle 2018$ – $\displaystyle 19$, there was an increase in workforce totalling $\displaystyle 48$·$\displaystyle 78$ crores in $\displaystyle 2018$ – $\displaystyle 19$ as compared to $\displaystyle 47$·$\displaystyle 14$ crores during $\displaystyle 2017$ – 18. Out of $\displaystyle 1$·$\displaystyle 64$ crores increased workforce, $\displaystyle 1$·$\displaystyle 22$ crores were in rural sector and $\displaystyle 0$·$\displaystyle 42$ crores in urban sector.

The female labour force participation rate increased from $\displaystyle 17$·$\displaystyle 5$% in $\displaystyle 2017$ – $\displaystyle 18$ to $\displaystyle 18$·$\displaystyle 6$% in $\displaystyle 2018$ – 19. The net payroll data of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) as on 20th December, $\displaystyle 2020$ shows a net increase of new subscribers of $\displaystyle 78$·$\displaystyle 58$ lakhs in $\displaystyle 2019$ – $\displaystyle 20$ as compared to $\displaystyle 61$·$\displaystyle 1$ lakhs in $\displaystyle 2018$ – 19. The PLFS report also showed improvement in $\displaystyle 2020$ – $\displaystyle 21$ (Quarter $\displaystyle 4$) when compared to $\displaystyle 2019$ – $\displaystyle 20$ (Quarter $\displaystyle 4$).

Considering the proportion of the male workforce, casual labour decreased by $\displaystyle 1$% points, while self-employed and salaried workers increased by $\displaystyle 0$·$\displaystyle 6$% points and $\displaystyle 0$·$\displaystyle 4$% points respectively. Similarly, in case of female workforce, self-employed increased by $\displaystyle 2$% points, regular/wage salaried workers decreased by $\displaystyle 0$·$\displaystyle 7$% points and casual labour decreased by $\displaystyle 1$·$\displaystyle 4$% points.

Source : Economic Survey $\displaystyle 2020$ – $\displaystyle 21$, Volume II, Chapter $\displaystyle 10$ (excerpt)

(a)

Analyse the nature/distribution of Indian workforce for the fourth quarter of the year $\displaystyle 2020$ – 21.

(b)

State and discuss any two initiatives taken by the Government to control the adverse impacts of the pandemic.