Encourage Skill Development Among Youth For Self-Employment
A renewed thrust on skill development will enable our enterprising youth to set up their private businesses, and in turn become generators of employment
Recently the Railway Police of Jammu and Kashmir issued an advertisement notice for the engagement of Special Police Officers (SPOs) for filling up 45 posts in Jammu railways, 32 in Kashmir railways and one post in Katra railways respectively. More than 40,000 applications were received by Railway Police headquarters in Jammu and Srinagar for these posts.
The educational qualification was fixed as matriculation and above. Candidates with Masters degree applied in huge numbers for this job in both divisions. This speaks of the gravity of the problem of unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir. The ratio of unemployed youth has gone up significantly in the last two years, while employability in both government and public sectors faces a downward trend. Earlier, the government had to cancel the selection list of SSRB following serious allegations of corruption and malpractices.
The educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir seem to be dejected. We are aware that owing to militancy, the private sector could not flourish in Kashmir division, and major corporate houses are hesitant to set up their units. As a result, dependence on government jobs is high.
Personal endeavour continues to triumph over all odds. Amidst this desperation and hopelessness, many educated youth have setup their small businesses. Many have revived the tradition of rearing livestock to earn livelihood. In this edition, we bring to light how rearing livestock is providing employment to enterprising young individuals in Kashmir.
The problem of unemployment is steadily aggravating. The government of Jammu and Kashmir needs to tackle this issue on priority. Skill development among youth must be encouraged more so that they can find avenues of self-employment in diverse areas.
