SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday claimed that unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir was nearly 38 per cent, accusing the government of failing to generate adequate employment and address growing economic distress among people.
Speaking at a party joining programme in Srinagar, Mehbooba said the administration was increasingly dependent on outsourcing, temporary engagements and what she described as “backdoor” recruitment instead of creating stable employment opportunities.
She said uncertainty was affecting professionals as well as young people, citing doctors, engineers and other sections of the workforce among those facing difficulties.
“People are protesting everywhere,” Mehbooba said, referring to demonstrations involving doctors, interns, veterinary staff, nursing staff and anganwadi workers.
She attributed the growing frustration to a combination of unemployment, rising inflation and what she termed inadequate salaries and stipends.
“Especially the youth are distressed; there is suffocation,” she said, adding that the prevailing situation had left the administrative system “in disarray”.
Mehbooba said the PDP needed to strengthen itself not simply with the objective of returning to power, but to respond to what she described as the wider challenges confronting Jammu and Kashmir.
She claimed the PDP was the political force capable of raising its voice against the prevailing circumstances and seeking changes in the Union Territory.
Recalling the PDP’s political role in the early 2000s under its founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba said the party’s emergence had brought changes not only within Jammu and Kashmir but also influenced political thinking in New Delhi and Islamabad.
She said that period had seen the opening of routes, the beginning of a dialogue process and development initiatives.
“Many storms came, but we remained steadfast and continued to face the challenges,” she said, expressing hope that the latest induction would further consolidate the party across the Union Territory.
