Migrant unemployed youth protest, demand justice

Migrant unemployed youth protesting in front of Press Club Jammu on Monday. — Excelsior/Rakesh
Migrant unemployed youth protesting in front of Press Club Jammu on Monday. — Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 11: Displaced Kashmiri Migrants Unemployed Youth held a protest demonstration in front of Press Club here demanding justice to left over 83 meritorious candidates who were denied employment under PM package on flimsy grounds.
The protestors including male and female candidates were led by Kanwal Pandita, Amit Bhat and Sunil Koul. Taking banners and placards in their hands, the aggrieved candidates demanded justice for them and job benefits on the basis of 221 candidates who were appointed on the directives of court of law. They said their posts were also reserved by court of law and the Government in principle had agreed to issue appointment orders but later referred the posts to SSRB for fresh advertisement thereby playing a truant with them.
The protestors said that while making appointments under PM package for 1600 posts vide notifications of 1/2010 and 6/2010 about 800 posts were reserved for categories like SC,ST,ALC , OBC etc. However, the candidates approached the Government with the prayer that no such category exists among the Pandits. The Government after considering the facts issued order and de-reserved the 800 posts to open category but did a mischief by re-advertising these posts, they alleged.
They said later the candidates got directions from the Court of law that the posts be filled up within the candidates who have participated in the selection process and SSRB was directed to appoint the candidates who have applied in pursuant to advertised notifications of 2010. The other candidates also approached the Court of law seeking the directions in their favour on the same pattern as they too had applied under the notifications of 2010. The appointing authority submitted compliance report with regard to 221 candidates while 191 posts remained unfilled even on today, they added.
The protesting candidates, while demanding justice accused the authorities of applying different yardsticks and depriving the genuine, deserving and meritorious candidates despite the fact that the court of law also gave directions in their favour on the analogy of other candidates who were selected by recruitment agencies.
Meanwhile, the dharna launched by 45 candidates for their appointment for various posts under PM package entered 97th day today.
These candidates warned to continue agitation till their demand is settled.