Jammu: The Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misleading people of Jammu and Kashmir on the issue of employment, claiming the Union Territory currently faces its highest unemployment rate in 45 years, ranking second highest in the country.
“Contrary to claims by Union Minister Anurag Thakur and LG Manoj Sinha, Jammu and Kashmir ranks second in the country for unemployment with a rate of 28.2 percent, as per the data,” AICC national media coordinator, Dolly Sharma, told reporters here.
Sharma claimed Jammu and Kashmir is going through an unemployment crisis as approximately 25 lakh youngsters are seeking jobs.
“BJP is making false claims on employment, while the reality is that J&K has the highest unemployment in the last 45 years and the second highest unemployment rate in the country under the BJP regime,” she said.
The Congress leader added that “our young women are particularly affected, facing the highest unemployment rate in the country at 48.6 percent”.
Since 2019, 65 percent of government posts remain vacant across various departments, amid reports of recruitment scams, Sharma said, adding that “promises made by the UT administration post the state’s downgrade have largely remained unfulfilled”.
“Over 60,000 daily-wage workers continue to earn a mere Rs. 300 per day for over 15 years, despite promises of regularisation,” Sharma said. “Many youths hoping for secure government jobs now find themselves in precarious contract-based roles.”
AICC media coordinator for Jammu, Onika Mehrotra, highlighted instances of corruption and irregularities in government recruitments, pointing to cancelled selections and prolonged delays in regularising contract workers.
“Following the abrogation of Article 370, BJP promised job opportunities and industrial growth, but these claims have not materialised,” Mehrotra said. “Instead, the issuance of 12,000 domicile certificates to non-natives has further compounded job challenges for local youths.”
Responding to LG Manoj Sinha’s claims of welfare initiatives, JKPCC senior vice-president and chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, criticised the administration’s behaviour towards the vulnerable groups.
“The elderly, handicapped, and widows have been forced to protest against inadequate pensions and other burdensome taxes. The administration has ignored their plight, necessitating urgent reforms,” Ravinder Sharma said.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism of the Congress-NC alliance, Ravinder Sharma questioned BJP’s past alliances and accused them of aligning with separatist forces in Kashmir for political gain.
“We counter BJP’s attack on Congress for seat-sharing with NC. BJP needs to answer as to what was common between BJP and PDP when it shared power with the latter and also with NC when they were part of the NDA alliance. The BJP is in league with several separatist forces in Kashmir for the sake of power,” he said.
J&K Cong seeks explanation from party leaders who filed nominations as Independents
Srinagar: The Congress in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday issued show-cause notices to several party leaders for breach of alliance unity after they filed nominations as Independent candidates for the assembly elections in the Union territory.
J&K Congress has taken notice of the breach of alliance unity by various party leaders, a spokesperson of the unit said.
He said the party has sought explanations from these leaders within three days, failing which strict disciplinary action would be initiated against them.
Many Congress leaders, including Ganderbal district president Sahil Farooq, have entered the poll fray as Independent candidates after the party announced a seat-sharing arrangement with the National Conference (NC).
Farooq is contesting from the Ganderbal assembly segment against NC vice-president Omar Abdullah.
