New Delhi: Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar on Monday clarified on his remark that North Indians lack the skill to secure jobs.
“What I said had a different context that there was lack of skills and the government has opened the Skill Development Ministry so that children could be trained as per job requirement,” Minister of State (Independent charge) in Ministry of Labour and Employment Gangwar told the media.
His statement came a day after his remarks triggered a major political uproar.
Gangwar said his comment was focused more on efforts made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to enhance skills of the youth.
While attending an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly to mark the first 100 days of the Narendra Modi government’s second tenure, Gangwar said that there was a lack of skills in North Indians while plenty of job opportunities were available.
“I want to say that there is no dearth of job opportunities in the country. Those who come for recruitment in North India often complain that they are unable to find the quality in candidates required for the post they are hiring for,” he had said.
Dismissing criticism about the current employment situation, Gangwar on Monday said that the matter of recession was being misunderstood in the country.
The minister’s statement over the lack of skills among North Indians invited sharp criticism from political circles and social media.
“While the government is under attack over the job situation in the country when ministers such as Nirmala Sitharaman last week said that millennials opting for Ola and Uber cabs had led to slowdown in the automobile sector, Gangwar’s statement has added insult to injury,” said Twitter user Ramesh Pawar.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the minister could not escape responsibility by insulting North Indians.
“Mr Minister, your government has been in power for five years. No jobs were created during that time. The jobs that existed were snatched because of the economic slowdown brought in by the government. The youth are awaiting some positive steps by the government. You can’t escape responsibility by insulting north Indians,” Vadra said.
Mocking Gangwar, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari sought an apology from the government.
“On one hand, people are losing jobs and on the other, new jobs are not being created. Instead of addressing the issues, the minister blames the youth of being incapable of getting jobs,” he said.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and former UP Chief Minister Mayawati also slammed BJP leader Gangwar.
“Santosh Gangwar is trying to avoid blame for the economic slowdown. The Labour Minister has insulted the youth of north India. His comments are senseless,” Mayawati said.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav described Gangwar’s statement as “insensitive and cruel.” All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) head Assaduddin Owaisi also criticised the Labour Minister over his remark.
“According to BJP, the following are responsible for unemployment and economy slowing down: millennials, jobseekers, Ola and Uber, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mughal ruler Aurangzeb,” Owaisi tweeted.
