There is an immediate and urgent need to start a fast-track recruitment drive in Jammu and Kashmir UT, as we have a highly qualified and educated youth population in search of government jobs to support their families. Some individuals hold double postgraduate degrees, while others are PhD, NET/SET, and JRF-qualified. The reality is that we have a vast number of unemployed people, and it is impossible to provide a government job to everyone. However, it is a matter of pride that many qualified youth in our UT are successfully running their own small businesses and earning significantly more.
In recent years, the central government and UT administration have launched various beneficial schemes to support unemployed individuals in starting their own businesses. For this purpose, the government provides loan facilities to these individuals. Additionally, programs like Start-Up India, Make in India, and Skill Development have been launched by the government. Through these initiatives, unemployed people can engage in flagship programs and start their own small business units.
Meanwhile, there are numerous gazetted and non-gazetted vacancies in departments such as the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, Finance, PDD, Food and Supplies, and Forest Departments. Specifically, in the School Education Department, the direct recruitment process for teacher and lecturer positions has not yet begun, as a decision was made to fill 100% of lecturer posts through the DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) quota, not through the PSC (Public Service Commission) quota. This approach aimed to absorb RET-scheme-engaged teachers into substantive teacher posts.
At present, there are significant vacancies for masters and lecturers in the School Education Department, which urgently need to be filled on a priority or fast-track basis. Similarly, a large number of assistant professor posts in the Higher Education Department have been vacant for the past 2-3 years. It is also encouraging that both departments—SED and HED—have hired many highly qualified unemployed individuals as lecturers and assistant professors on an academic arrangement basis, which is a positive move.
Recently, the UT government approved 1,575 +2 lecturer vacancies, which will be referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission for direct recruitment very soon. Additionally, 1,627 lecturer posts are set to be filled through the DPC (Promotion Quota) within a stipulated timeframe.
By Rahi Firdous
fi**********@***il.com