By Aausyf Ibn Farooq
ANECDOTAL evidence shows that there has always been a preference for fields like engineering and medicine in Kashmir. Students take up either of the two in the hopes that they have a good job market. Therefore, there are many takers for a B.tech degree in Kashmir. However, since the last couple of years, especially this decade, engineers have found themselves unemployed and with a lack of opportunities. Many students who have graduated years ago are still awaiting recruitment exams for government recruitments of engineers.
In the midst of these unemployed engineers are those who had the misfortune of ending up in electrical engineering. This lot hasn’t even had the chance to hope for exams since the power development department was privatised. No one is sure when or if the exams would ever be held at all.
Consequently, the circumstances of electrical engineers in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) seem to be in complete disarray as there is no one to take care of. This is a major concern for the future of electrical engineering in the region, which has been in complete darkness for the past eight years. Despite having several institutions that offer electrical engineering courses like GCET Kathua, GCET Jammu, Safapora, MIET Jammu, YCET Jammu, IUST Awantipora, SSM Parihaspora Sgr and Kashmir University etc, the situation of electrical engineers in J&K remains bleak.
The field of electrical engineering is considered a highly attractive career option as it plays a crucial role in almost every aspect of our daily lives. Despite the high demand for electrical engineers in every field in J&K, there seems to be a severe lack of opportunities for them. Every year, hundreds of electrical engineering graduates pass out from different colleges in J&K and pursue electrical engineering outside the Union Territory.
The only organisation that has provided jobs to electrical engineers in J&K is the Power Development Department (PDD), which last recruited engineers in 2015. Since then, there has been no recruitment for electrical engineers in J&K. In 2019, 30 posts of Junior Engineer and 68 posts of Assistant Engineer were advertised, but they were later withdrawn. This has created a sense of uncertainty among the electrical engineering graduates in J&K.
It is essential to understand that the lack of job opportunities for electrical engineers in J&K is not just limited to the Power Development Department. Many institutes in J&K offer electrical engineering courses, including NIT, Jammu College, and others. However, on the side of recruitment, there seems to be a severe lack of opportunities for electrical engineers.
The situation is worsened by the continuous retirement of electrical engineers in J&K, without adequate replacement. The lack of job opportunities and recruitment in the field of electrical engineering has made it difficult for electrical engineering graduates to find employment. This has created a sense of frustration and disappointment among the youth of J&K, who have worked hard to earn their degrees.
The authorities must address the situation and take necessary steps to provide job opportunities to electrical engineering graduates in J&K. The state government, as well as the private sector, should come forward to provide employment opportunities in the field of electrical engineering. The authorities should also explore the possibilities of creating new job opportunities by encouraging new industries and start-ups in the region.
The situation of electrical engineers in J&K is a matter of grave concern that requires urgent attention. The government and private sector must take the necessary steps to create job opportunities for electrical engineering graduates in the region. This will not only benefit the youth of J&K but will also contribute to the development of the region’s economy.
- Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
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