Populist sops drive youth crazy as career hunting begins
SRINAGAR: Ignoring sharp criticism for its oft declared poll-bound job bonanzas, the state government’s fresh offer has 60 thousand jobs in various government agencies. Youth for these jobs, says the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, would be appointed on “fast-track basis” and the government would invest all the available resources to “bring smiles on the faces of the unemployed.”
Rather made this announcement while speaking to an election rally at Hampora and Loolipora villages on Monday. An official statement quoted Rather as saying, “There are about 60000 vacancies in various departments which will be filled on fast track basis. We want to see hope and happiness on the gloomy faces of un-employed youth and to make their future bright and safe.”
Although the finance minister also promised attractive incentives available under the States Industrial Policy in order to promote the private sector, the announcement, by sheer volume of the promise, indicates that the government would be unstoppable in terms of winning votes against jobs.
“The opposition PDP won all three parliament seats in May. That is the starting point of NC’s jobs for votes scheme. They won’t bother if all the resources go into paying the salary bills, they are concerned about the bounce back promise they made to their demoralized cadres,” says a former bureaucrat who is now eyeing a place in politics.
Rather, in his Budgam speech, termed unemployment as “the biggest challenge confronting the Government” and said, “all the resources were being pooled to create maximum possible job avenues for the unemployed youth of the state.” He said while new posts were being created on regular basis, all the vacancies in various departments would be filled up on fast track basis.
Addressing public gatherings in Hampora and Loolipora villages in Chrar-i- Sharief constituency on Monday, Rather said creation of job avenues for unemployed youth topped the priority list of present government, which after taking over the reins devised a first of its kind job policy in the country Called as Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY), a scheme, Rather boasted, was acknowledged even at the national level.
Taking a dig at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Rather “Our political opponents are desperately trying to hoodwink people through their falsehood and deceit.” While calling for communal harmony, he alleged that “they will try to exploit sentiments and emotions of the innocent people and polarize the communities on religion and regional basis.”
Meanwhile, tends of thousands of educated or semi-educated young persons are jostling to seek information about the job openings in the government. Even the parents are seen frenetically looking to guidance regarding the ways to apply for a particular job.
“This government is reinforcing a dependency syndrome in the society. Sad part is that the government is hiring people for public service but expects them to serve the political party. This has already bred a disturbing culture of post-retirement politics,” says Owais Rahim, a computer literate who is seeking a government job for past many years.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
