It is fair on part of Govt. to look at unemployment numbers, rising population and literacy levels that a maximum number of candidates will be accommodated by the job policies in Jammu and Kashmir. They have reasons that if someone doesnt have luxuries at disposal but at least he/she can cover his/her basic needs with the small wages fetched. In other words we can say that something is better than nothing. But a serious consideration is whether it will really motivate or simply backfire and defeat our good talent in the State? Another matter of concern is that on one side we will pay meager salary (INR. 3000) but on other side we are ready for implementation of seventh pay commission (where salary is 10 times more than jobs under policies), thus resulting in huge disparities. Besides the market prices are skyrocketing where only a limited section enjoys privileges. There are others who spite of good role in jobs always suffer and have less affordability to pay. Even they are not able to cover their basic needs.
There is widespread resentment regarding SRO 202 job policy. The policy has attracted mixed reactions and opinions but the government had so far not shown any inclination to change it. There is a loud appeal to revoke the policy as it is not going well with the objectives and satisfaction of the promising candidates as well as the existing appointees. There are other schemes as well which have failed miserably in Jammu & Kashmir and in fact de-motivated the young and energetic candidates.
J & K Govt. recently advertised huge number of temporary posts for teachers and lecturers at the district levels with monthly salary fixed as Rs. 3000 and Rs. 7000 respectively. The same policy was initiated few years ago but the candidates after being selected on merit and serving better received pathetic treatments.
Let us make some rough calculations for a teacher how he will spend his Rs. 3000 per month. A teacher may have to purchase two bags of rice for Rs. 1000 (Rs. 500 each bag) and Rs. 1000 may be required for vegetables etc. Next the gas cylinder filling for cooking rice will cost him around Rs. 500. Then Rs. 500 may be required as a bus fare to reach to his work station. Alas! Our beloved teachers are not even in a position to afford medicine costs if required, what to think of other services? They cant even afford to take care of their families or parents who were living a beautiful dream that their life will be better one day when their son/daughter will get a good job. Going through the alarming situation there is threat to our beloved teachers of nation regarding their survival and sustenance.
Some few years ago, one of my close relative was selected as a teacher on merit under the said policy…She left her private job with high expectations from the Govt. job. Next there was change in Govt. and scheme was called off and her job survived not more than a period of three months. She lost her promising govt. job as well as her previous private job. Besides she had to suffer a huge financial loss which she could have easily earned in her private job…She is not an exception as there were many others who left private jobs but had to suffer badly. There were brighter expectations that sometime ahead they will be regularized in a govt. job. More pathetic was they were not even paid fully for their small work with small wages. There were candidates who may have developed the suicidal tendency because of such failed schemes. Who is to be blamed- policies or the candidates themselves? The deserving candidates have faith and blindly trust those confusing policies! Looking at the minimum wage considerations recently hiked by the J & K Govt., the minimum wages for unskilled workers are above INR 6000 and INR 12000 for highly skilled workers. But the teachers selected on merit have to work on a meager salary of INR 3000 and 7000. Moreover, highly skilled workers (Engineering graduates etc.) are given INR 7000-8000 as per SRO 202 but there should be INR 12000 as per minimum wage policy. The job policies are highly confusing and challenging Govt.s own minimum wage considerations. The universities and colleges also appoint the lecturers under many policies with huge income disparities and hence produce higher de-motivation levels.
The ongoing job policies in Jammu and Kashmir may pose a serious challenge and threat to the talent and future of our state. Are we pushing the system back to dark ages where we are still inactive despite knowing the dark consequences? Let the policy makers as well as the job seekers introspect deep and better. The policies to be implemented must be equitable and achieve the peace, progress and prosperity of the State.
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