6 Lakh Unemployed Youth, Unemployment Crisis Grips Jammu and Kashmir
A dire unemployment crisis continues to grip Jammu and Kashmir, with an estimated 6 lakh (600,000) educated individuals struggling to find employment opportunities. This information was provided by the Directorate of Employment in response to an RTI application. The data, obtained from a survey conducted between March and May 2022, revealed that as of May 31, 2022, there were 663,511 unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, it is important to note that 10-15 percent of these individuals are self-employed, engaged in agricultural ventures, or running small businesses in their villages. This means that the actual number of unemployed youth seeking employment stands at approximately 563,984.
Out of the total unemployed, around 1.99 lakh individuals (199,000) have registered themselves with the government's employment portal, highlighting the desperation among educated youth to secure gainful employment. This underscores the need for immediate action to address the unemployment crisis.
In the past, the Jammu and Kashmir Self Employment Scheme (JKSES) played a crucial role in addressing unemployment among the educated youth. However, the scheme was subsumed into the Seed Capital Scheme of the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Institute (JKEDI) in 2015-16, according to official documents.
The Directorate of Employment has submitted guidelines for the implementation of self-employment schemes, such as the Seed Capital Fund Scheme and Youth Start-up Loan, through its department. Previously, these schemes fell under the purview of JKEDI. Additionally, proposals for the revival of the J&K Overseas Corporation are also under examination.
To mitigate the unemployment crisis, the Directorate of Employment organized various job fairs throughout the year 2022-23. Through these initiatives, 785 unemployed youth were successfully placed in the private sector. Furthermore, employment opportunities have been provided through self-employment schemes implemented by JKEDI and the Jammu and Kashmir Women's Development Corporation (J&KWDC).
The Directorate of Employment has expanded its efforts by conducting employment and unemployment surveys at the village level. This data is crucial in assessing the current state of joblessness and formulating effective policies. The surveys have indicated an unemployment rate of 8.31 percent based on the 2011 census.
Job fairs have been organized since 2022 by the Directorate of Employment at both district and divisional levels, providing a common platform for job seekers and employers to connect. These fairs aim to bridge the gap between job providers and the growing number of job seekers in the region. During the job fairs conducted in 2022-23, 84 job fairs were held, involving the participation of 878 companies and 45,447 unemployed youth. 14,014 youth were shortlisted, 1,761 unemployed youth were placed on the spot, 16,413 unemployed youth registered on the spot, and 2,978 youth were recommended for skilling.
The mentioned information highlights the extent of the unemployment crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and the efforts made by the Directorate of Employment to address this issue through various initiatives, including job fairs and self-employment schemes.
