Given the contraction and lack of demand in the economy, it is quite plausible that there would be a significant dip in urban employment generation. The pandemic and associated policy responses have exposed the vulnerability of these urban jobs. Steps to takeThe present crisis calls for a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the issue of urban jobs. The third element, would be to prioritise urban infrastructure as it accounts for a large share of total investments in the local economy. The fourth element could be an immediate launch of an urban employment scheme oriented toward building large-scale medical, health and sanitation infrastructure in cities and towns across India.

Source: The Hindu September 14, 2020 18:32 UTC