PANJIM: The State government has termed the recent unemployment rate of 34.5 per cent as "statistical outlier" while emphasising that various initiatives are ongoing to increase job opportunities for Goan youth.   

The statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) comes in the wake of a recent survey by Centre for Monitoring India Economy (CMIE) citing 34.5% unemployment rate for the month of November 2019 in Goa. 

"With no out of turn event happening, which can explain the reason behind such a jump, the current figure of 34.5 per cent appears to be a statistical outlier. In contrast to the above, the government has undertaken substantial recruitment drives in the government this year, and has facilitated private sector to flourish, resulting in enhanced job opportunities for the locals. It is the endeavour of the government to further facilitate the employment and employability for Goans. The government is aware and committed to the employment cause of Goemkars," the press release states.            

The govt is examining the details of the report and the survey conducted by CMIE. "It is pertinent to highlight several issues, which are apparent from the bare reading of the report," it said adding, "As per the CMIE’s data itself, unemployment rate in Goa for the past years has averaged close to the national average of around 7 per cent with seasonal fluctuations pulling unemployment to as low as 2.1 per cent." 

Even the unemployment figures of last month, that is, October 2019 stands at 9.1 per cent, the CMO has stated that in comparison with unemployment figure of November in year 2018, it gives an entirely different picture wherein unemployment rate was 2.1 per cent. 

"The present unemployment figure shows a jump of about 1,600% in unemployment rate from November 2018 (month to month). This needs explanation as the figure is anamolous considering past trends and history," it further said.