India, Jan. 16 -- The economic crisis unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the entire world. For an economy like India for which a fast pace of growth is critical to its poverty alleviation and human development goals, a recessionary phase has been a major setback. Despite all sectors opening up and the economy resuming post lockdown, unemployment continues to be a major concern.

According to the latest data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the national unemployment rate was at a six month high of 9.06%. On the other hand, the rural unemployment rate was also pegged at a high of 9.15%.

Evidently, re-opening of the economy has not been sufficient to ensure adequate job opportunities and resumption of work ...