New Delhi, Feb 26: The Government today admitted it has failed to provide the promised 10 million jobs this year but said two new bills to protect interests of unorganised sector and ensure workers' participation in management will be introduced in the Budget Session of Parliament. Winding up a discussion on a Calling Attention motion on growing labour unrest due to loss of jobs in Rajya Sabha, labour minister Sahib Singh Verma said amid repeated interruptions from Opposition benches that government was in favour of raising the minimum wages as well as the ceiling on bonus. He said the government proposes to introduce two new bills in this session dealing with social security of 37 crore unorganised labour force in the country and on participation of workers in management of companies. Dissatisfied with the minister's reply, the Opposition, led by Nilotpal Basu (CPI-M), wanted to know why has a large industrial house been given Rs 500 crore at an interest rate of 6.5 per cent as stated by Shiv Sena member Eknath Thakur when the small scale sector is charged 14-15 per cent interest in borrowings. When the minister did not reply to their specific queries, the Left parties staged a walkout.

Earlier, Verma said "I accept we have not been able to provide the promised 10 million jobs within one year but we have taken steps in that direction..... We have employed people in pradhan mantri sadak yojana and projects like the Delhi metro".

Bureau Report