SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) President and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, accused the government of betraying the youth of Jammu and Kashmir by failing to fulfil its election promise of waiving application fees for job aspirants applying through various recruitment agencies.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the JKPC chief said that the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), in its election manifesto, had pledged to abolish application fees charged by recruitment bodies such as the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Recruitment Board (JKSSRB), Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), and other state institutions.
In its election manifesto , JKNC promised to waive off application fees, for applying to recruitment agencies like SSRB, JKPSC and other institutions in J and K.
I asked a question to find out whether the election promise has been fulfilled.
In reply, the Minister in- GAD,… pic.twitter.com/y3IJXi76k7
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) October 28, 2025
“I asked a question to find out whether this election promise has been fulfilled,” he stated. “In reply, the Minister in the General Administration Department (GAD), who also happens to be the Chief Minister and MLA from Ganderbal, informed that Rs 31 crore has been collected in application fees since October last year, when this government came to power.”
He said the minister’s written response confirmed that no proposal to abolish the application fees had been approved or was even under consideration. “This Rs 31 crore reflects one of the many broken promises, and yet another addition to the trail of lies and deceit,” the JKPC leader said. “Please, for once, can they just admit that they lied and apologise to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir?”
Citing the National Conference’s manifesto, he quoted: “The National Conference government will waive off all application fees for job aspirants applying to recruitment agencies such as JKSSRB, JKPSC and other institutions in Jammu Kashmir.”
The Handwara MLA said the government’s failure to honour its commitment had dealt a severe blow to thousands of unemployed youth already grappling with financial stress and job scarcity. “Instead of easing their burden, this government has collected crores in the name of application fees. It’s a betrayal of their trust,” he remarked.
He urged the government to uphold its promises and take immediate steps to reduce the financial strain on job seekers in Jammu Kashmir.
