Jammu, May 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee on Thursday criticised the government's decision to freeze the creation of all vacant posts as part of its austerity measures, calling it a "cruel joke" on the educated unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public gathering at Channi Himmat in Jammu, working president of JKPCC, Raman Bhalla, said that the decision would further aggravate the unemployment crisis in the Union Territory and shatter the hopes of thousands of qualified youth aspiring for government jobs.
"The move to freeze the creation of all vacant posts in government is a cruel joke on the educated unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir who are already grappling with limited employment opportunities," he said.
On Saturday, the Jammu and Kashmir government issued a circular directing all departments to execute austerity measures, labelling them as "economy and austerity measures for the rationalisation of expenditure." The order also specified that no new posts would be created.
Bhalla urged the government to immediately review and withdraw this decision, emphasising that austerity measures should not come at the cost of job creation.
"The burden of austerity should not be placed on the shoulders of unemployed youth. If the government is serious about reducing expenditure, it should begin by curtailing unnecessary spending by the ruling elite and senior bureaucrats rather than blocking employment opportunities for deserving candidates," Bhalla said.
Highlighting the growing challenge of unemployment, the Congress leader noted that unemployment among educated youth has become one of the most pressing socio-economic issues in Jammu and Kashmir due to the limited opportunities.
"Unlike many other states where industries and private enterprises provide large-scale employment, Jammu and Kashmir has a relatively weak industrial base. For decades, government service has remained one of the principal sources of stable employment for educated youth. Any decision to freeze recruitment or keep posts vacant will only deepen frustration among job seekers," he said.
Bhalla warned that prolonged unemployment could have serious social and economic consequences, including growing distress among the youth and a slowdown in the region's overall development.
He said employment generation should remain a priority area of governance rather than a sector subjected to expenditure cuts.
The former minister also pointed out that thousands of vacancies across various government departments remained unfilled despite staff shortages in sectors such as education, healthcare, public administration and rural development.
Filling these vacancies, he said, would not only strengthen public service delivery but also provide much-needed employment opportunities to qualified youth.
Calling for a long-term solution to unemployment, Bhalla demanded a comprehensive employment policy tailored to the needs and aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir's youth.
He said the policy should focus on accelerating recruitment to vacant government posts, promoting industrial investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting start-ups, enhancing skill development programmes and creating opportunities in sectors such as information technology, tourism, agriculture and allied industries.
"The youth of Jammu and Kashmir do not seek charity; they seek opportunities. The government must create an environment where educated young people can secure dignified employment and contribute to the economic growth of the region," he said.
Bhalla reiterated that addressing unemployment should remain at the centre of public policy and urged the administration to engage with stakeholders, youth organisations and experts while framing employment-related initiatives.
"The future of Jammu and Kashmir depends on its youth. Any policy that limits employment opportunities will only widen the gap between aspirations and opportunities. The government must reconsider its decision and take concrete steps to provide jobs and hope to the younger generation," he added.
