Unemployment rate in India has fallen by 1.7 percent in 5 years despite global slowdown. It was 8.3 per cent in 2004-05 but came down to 6.6 in 2009-10. Disclosing this in New Delhi today Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge attributed the achievement to the employment policies and various measures initiated by the government to stimulate job creation. Some of these programmes include the flagship Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Gaurantee Act – MNREGA scheme. He was addressing a conference on 'Innovation in Public Employment Programmes' in New Delhi.

Kharge said, India has not only maintained its employment standards but also succeeded in reducing unemployment. He said the government has also drafted a national employment policy to create more productive, sustainable and decent employment opportunities. A new modular employable skill development initiative has been launched to train one million person in short-term modular programmes.

AIR correspondent reports that the three-day conference aims at building meaningful partnerships and exchange of information through South-South Cooperation. The Conference is being attended by Labour Ministers and senior officials from 22 countries of Asia, Africa and South America