Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has revealed that over 32,000 Government posts are lying vacant across various departments, even as unemployment continues to rise in the region.
In reply to a question raised by CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami in the Legislative Assembly, the CM shared that in total there are 32,474 posts, which include 2,503 Gazetted posts, 19,214 Non-Gazetted posts and 10,757 Class-IV (Multi Tasking Staff) which are still vacant.
Adding more details about the vacant posts, the CM said, “The posts which are lying vacant in 38 departments, the Health and Medical Education Department has 7,851 vacancies, the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department has 3,759 posts vacant, Animal Husbandry department 2,589 vacancies, Industries and commerce 2,517, Housing and Urban Development 2,420, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare 1,340, Power Department 1,305, Food and Supplies Department 1,131, Finance Department 1,009, Revenue Department 1,004, Jal Shakti 856 and the School Education Department has to fill 770 vacancies. The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction is the only one that has no vacancies.”
On the question of the details of vacancies referred to recruitment agencies for last 10 years and the status of selection of these posts indicating also the time by which these pending vacancies are filled up on fast track basis to tackle the ever increasing menace of unemployment in the UT, the CM said, “In a span of last 10 years (2015-2024), the Government referred 54,540 posts to the JKSSB, resulting in 49,564 selections, while 10, 762 posts were referred to the JKPSC, with 9,080 appointments finalised. Despite these recruitments, thousands of sanctioned posts remain pending, awaiting clearance or referral.”
“We have directed all departments to set clear targets for recruitment within the first 100 days and up to one year (from November 20, 2024, to November 20, 2025). The focus, according to the administration, is on a “fast-track and transparent” hiring process,” he said.
Addressing the concerns raised by Tarigami about the regularisation of over 60,000 daily wagers, casual and seasonal labourers, he said, “A high-level committee under the Chief Secretary has been formed to examine legal, humanitarian and financial aspects related to regularization of Casual, Seasonal Labourers or Other Workers (CSLWs). The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within six months.”
Providing details about the qualification-wise, profession-wise, the details of the number of educated unemployed youth and the steps contemplated to be taken to generate job opportunities for such youth, the CM revealed that a total of 3, 69,010 youth are registered with District Employment Exchanges, including over 2, 24, 495 up to 10+2 level, 66,628 graduates, 47,114, postgraduates, 15,396 Degree holders, 9884 Diploma and technical certificate holders.
The CM said, “To address the growing joblessness, the Government has facilitated over 9.5 lakh self-employment opportunities in the past four years through schemes like Mumkin, Tejaswini, PMEGP, and others. Under Mission YUVA, the administration aims to support five lakh youth over five years, creating over 1.3 lakh enterprises and 4.25 lakh employment opportunities across sectors.”
“These schemes and programmes are presently functional and implemented on the ground, with a focus on youth development, entrepreneurship and livelihood generation,” he said
“The Government is also conducting Job Fairs/placement drives at Divisional/District level in order to provide a single platform between the unemployed youth and the potential Employer for their better placement in different private sectors. During the last four years 746 Job Fairs were conducted in which 4,893 placements made by 2,760 companies and 6,640 candidates were recommended for Skill training,” he said and added that the Government is also facilitating Self Employment opportunities to the Job seekers through various line Departments.
“Besides, Permanent facilitation centres at District Level for conducting counselling sessions, seminars etc for guidance and up-gradation of Skills of Potential of Job Seekers as per the Market value have been set up. We have also started imparting the Skill Development training courses across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir which has achieved remarkable participation from all sectors,” the CM informed. (Excelsior)
