JAMMU: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has admitted that thousands of posts across various departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) remain vacant despite recurring concerns over rising unemployment. The disclosure was made in a written reply to CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
According to the government’s response, as of January 3, 2025, there are tens of thousands of vacancies under Gazetted, Non-Gazetted, and Class-IV categories, with separate data annexed department-wise. A total of 13,466 Non-Gazetted vacancies were referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) in the last two years, out of which 9,351 selections have been made. Similarly, 2,390 Gazetted vacancies were referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), and 2,175 selections were completed.
In a span of ten years (2015–2024), the government referred 54,540 posts to the JKSSB, resulting in 49,564 selections, while 5,199 posts were referred to the JKPSC, with 3,212 appointments finalised. Despite these recruitments, thousands of sanctioned posts remain pending, awaiting clearance or referral.
10,757 Class-IV vacancies have also been identified and are presently under review by the Finance Department before being forwarded to recruiting agencies. Moreover, over 6,000 additional vacancies are stated to be ready for referral shortly.
The government said it has directed all departments to set clear targets for recruitment within the first 100 days and up to one year (from November 20, 2024, to November 20, 2025). The focus, according to the administration, is on a “fast-track and transparent” hiring process.
Addressing concerns raised by Tarigami about the regularisation of over 60,000 daily wagers, casual and seasonal labourers, the government said a high-level committee under the Chief Secretary has been formed to examine legal, humanitarian, and financial aspects. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within six months.
Meanwhile, the issue of educated unemployment continues to loom large. The government revealed that 369,010 youth are registered with District Employment Exchanges, including over 66,000 graduates, 47,000 postgraduates, and more than 15,000 diploma and technical certificate holders.
To address the growing joblessness, the government claims to have facilitated over 9.5 lakh self-employment opportunities in the past four years through schemes like Mumkin, Tejaswini, PMEGP, and others. Additionally, 746 job fairs were conducted during the same period, which reportedly resulted in nearly 4,900 private sector placements.
Under Mission YUVA, the administration aims to support five lakh youth over five years, creating over 1.3 lakh enterprises and 4.25 lakh employment opportunities across sectors.
While the government asserts it is taking a proactive approach to tackle unemployment, legislators like Tarigami have questioned the pace of recruitment and the plight of thousands of precariously employed workers who continue to await regularisation despite decades of service.
