The Indian Railways announced on Tuesday that it will employ 1,48,463 workers over the next year, as compared to 43,678 people yearly on average over the previous eight years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed that 10 lakh workers be hired in various departments and ministries over the next 18 months.
According to the Department of Expenditure on Pay and Allowances' latest annual report, as of March 1, 2020, the total number of regular central government civilian employees in position (including in the Union territories) was 31.91 lakh, compared to a sanctioned strength of 40.78 lakh, with approximately 21.75 percent of the positions vacant. According to the report, five major ministries or departments account for over 92 percent of total manpower: railways, defence (civil), home affairs, posts, and revenue.
The railways account for 40.55 percent of the total strength of 31.33 lakh (excluding the Union territories). According to government sources, many departments and ministries were requested to furnish data of vacancies in response to Modi's directive, and the decision to hire 10 lakh employees was made after an overall evaluation.
Opposition parties have tried to pin the BJP down on the topic of unemployment during various Assembly elections.
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