Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 7: Working President of Pradesh Congress Committee and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today demanded a robust employment policy for Jammu and Kashmir and the immediate regularization of daily wagers, contractual and need-based workers working in various departments.
Addressing a public meeting in the border village of Chak Malal in Chhamb constituency, Tara Chand alleged that both the Centre and UT Governments are shifting responsibility when it comes to providing jobs to educated and skilled youth of J&K.
“Despite the promise of massive employment, around one lakh posts are still lying vacant. Not a single youth has been appointed as a teacher in the Education Department. Jobless educated youth are being forced to migrate to other states for livelihood,” he said.
He expressed concern over thousands of daily-rated workers who are nearing retirement without having been regularized.
Recalling employment initiatives during his Government, Tara Chand said schemes like Rehbar-e-Taleem, Rehbar-e-Khel, and Rehbar-e-Jirat helped engage educated youth, many of whom are now earning decent salaries as regular employees.
He also criticized the BJP-led Government for failing to fulfill its promises made before J&K was turned into a Union Territory.
“Before August 5, 2019, the people were promised jobs, subsidized gas cylinders, free ration, and faster development in border areas. Instead, Statehood was taken away and the prosperous Dogra state was downgraded,” he said.
Calling the restoration of Statehood a basic right, Tara Chand said that both the Prime Minister and Home Minister had assured it in Parliament but failed to act.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are hopeful that during the ongoing Parliament session, the Government will introduce a bill to restore Statehood. It is their right, not a favour,” he added.
Several other Congress leaders and local representatives were also present and addressed the gathering.
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