‘Casual wage work is the major source of employment in rural India ‘. Defend or refute the given statement with valid reason.

Question 26:‘Casual wage work is the major source of employment in rural India ‘. Defend or refute the given statement with valid reason.

The correct answer is – The statement that “casual wage work is the major source of employment in rural India” is generally true, but there are nuances to consider.

According to data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), casual wage work accounts for a significant proportion of employment in rural India. In the 2017-18 period, casual labour was the main source of employment for 25.5% of the rural male workforce and 23.7% of the rural female workforce. In contrast, regular wage/salaried employment accounted for only 17.1% of male employment and 7.7% of female employment in rural areas.

However, it is important to note that casual wage work is not the only source of employment in rural India. Agriculture and allied activities remain a significant source of employment, accounting for around half of all rural employment. In addition, self-employment in non-agricultural activities such as small businesses and artisanal work also provides employment opportunities in rural areas.

Another factor to consider is that the prevalence of casual wage work varies across regions and socioeconomic groups. Some states and regions have a higher proportion of regular wage/salaried employment, while others rely more heavily on casual labour. Additionally, casual wage work tends to be more prevalent among lower-income households and marginalized communities, while higher-income households may have more access to regular employment opportunities.

In conclusion, while casual wage work is a significant source of employment in rural India, it is not the only source, and its prevalence varies across regions and socioeconomic groups. Other factors such as agriculture and allied activities, self-employment, and regular wage/salaried employment also play a role in rural employment.