Unemployment in J&K reaches to levels never seen before: Tarigami

Srinagar, Jul 07 : CPI (M) leader Mohamamd Yousuf Tarigami on Thursday expressed deep concern over the soaring unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The unemployment graph in Jammu and Kashmir has shot up considerably over the past several years laying bare the tall claims of the government about providing job opportunities to the unemployed youth in the region. The available statistical data seriously contradicts such claims. In the month of March 2022, the centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, which puts out monthly data, pegged the unemployment rate in the region at 25 percent–the second highest in the country. Similarly the unemployment rate shown by the agency for the month of June is 17. 2 percent,” Tarigami said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said J&K has been witnessing quantum leap in unemployment since the Central dispensation put paid to the special constitutional position of the region, which brought the entire economic activities to a shuddering halt.

“The BJP government had blamed article 370 and 35 A for stymieing the progress in Jammu and Kashmir. There are other indices of proof that are in deep contrast to the assertions made by the government. For example, the data published by the ministry of statistics and information in March showed 46.3 percent unemployment rate among the age group of 15-29 for April to June 2021,” he added.

He said the facts and figures clearly reflect that the unemployment has reached to the levels never seen before. “The government’s false narrative of investment and opening up new job opportunities stand exposed. The grueling wait for the jobs has begun gnawing at the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The joblessness, high inflation and family responsibilities are putting squeeze on these unemployed youth, forcing them to take extreme steps in some cases,” he said.

“Despite a sharp rise in unemployment, it is rather unfortunate that the government is pulling out all the stops in boasting about the huge investments in the region. Instead of creating employment opportunities, the government has eased out many employees of their jobs,” he said.

While the contractual employees are facing the threat of termination, the services of down and out daily wagers are not being regularized even after decades. Their paltry salaries are not released on time, CPI (M) said and appealed to the unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir to shun their illusion vis-à-vis the current dispensation’s hallow promises and struggle for their rights.

CPI (M) exhorted upon the government to provide the unemployed youth with job opportunities without any delay—(KNO)