Address growing unemployment problem: PDP to Centre

Srinagar, Jan 4: PDP today urged the central government to address the growing unemployment problem in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement Party’s Vice- President Sartaj Madni said, “While we appreciate any infrastructural development that benefits the region, we cannot ignore the possibility of this event being just another photo opportunity and contributing nothing for the local educated and skilled youth who have been struggling to seek jobs from last several years.”

He added that the real concern would lie in “whether the launch of the Jammu Railway Division will translate into tangible solutions for the high levels of unemployment faced by the residents of J&K.” He added that post 370 abrogation in 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir has climbed to top of the list of the states and UTs with maximum number of unemployed youth which was a matter of concern. Quoting media reports, Madni said that as of July-September 2024, J&K had the highest unemployment rate in India, with 32 percent of the youth population between the age group of 18-29 years unemployed.

“The rate was 18.3 percent as on July 2023 according to Home ministry’s written reply in the Parliament, whereas it was much lower before 2019,” Madi said. The PDP leader highlighted the importance of creating sustainable employment opportunities to uplift the region’s economy and improve the livelihood of its people. He urged the government to demonstrate a clear roadmap for job creation and skill development in J&K, instead of “relying solely on symbolic gestures”.

“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are in dire need of substantive employment opportunities. The launch of the Railway Division should not be a mere spectacle; it must be backed by genuine efforts to address the root causes of unemployment in the region,” Sartaj Madni added.