Unemployment in JK has been higher than the national rate; a concern that should find its place in the list of priorities of the government once the situation gets normal in the union territory. According to one research organization that published its findings and analysis a few years ago, the unemployment rate in the 15-17 years age group was almost thrice of the national rate for the same group, and in 18-29, it was almost double. Youth in Kashmir have been moving from pillar to post to get accommodated but with little success.
All previous government failed to make any significant change. Employment in government sector had become an easy way to garner votes by erstwhile parties and nepotism had reached its peak. But with the change of guard, it is expected that more jobs and avenues be created for the youth. Towards the end of teenage, less than half are able to find an employment meaning in every two only one gets a job where as at national level four out of five persons get a job. Previous governments are solely responsible for the misfortune of youth, as they never came up with concrete policy measures to help them secure the jobs in government and private sector.
The concern was not taken up by these governments as a priority that needs a properly planned approach. Take the example of vocational training, Industrial Training Institutes, and polytechnics. Had they been successful the lower age group unemployment won’t have been anywhere near 50 percent. If there are no jobs for lower qualifications, skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled human resource does not make any difference. One of the strongest motives to pursue higher education is to find suitable employment often in an area of specialization.
The fact is we hear mostly about educated people bearing the brunt of unemployment and pay lesser attention to those who are lesser qualified. Employment is a universal right and an uneducated person has as much right to have an employee as an educated one. It has also become important as the economic strains due to lock-downs in the last two years may further plummet the job market. The number of graduates and postgraduates will significantly drop if undergraduates are able to find suitable jobs. If skilled and semi-skilled jobs are created for lower age groups, it would go a long way in helping the youth of J&K sustain themselves as well as work for their excellence.
