JAMMU, Aug 18: President of Mission Statehood Sunil Dimple on Tuesday led a protest rally on Janipur High Court Road, raising concerns over rising unemployment among educated youth and alleged delays in the payment of salaries to government employees and workers.
Addressing the protesters, Dimple alleged that several categories of government employees and workers have been working without salaries for the past five months. He specifically mentioned vocational trainers, Cluster Resource Coordinators (CRCs), seasonal teachers, Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), school ayas and other workers engaged in different departments.
Dimple also raised the issue of delayed payments to Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Police Officers (SPOs), alleging that they frequently do not receive their salaries on time.
The protest also focused on demands for the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu and the early commencement of the Government Medical College (GMC) at Katra. Dimple urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take steps in this regard and demanded the appointment of local vice-chancellors in universities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing concern over unemployment, Dimple alleged that Jammu and Kashmir is facing a serious employment crisis and blamed delays and alleged failures in the functioning of recruiting agencies, including the JKSSB and JKPSC, for worsening the situation. He said educated youth are facing mental stress and frustration after completing higher qualifications but remaining without suitable employment opportunities.
Dimple demanded that the selection process for posts of Police Inspectors and Naib Tehsildars be started immediately. He warned that failure to address the issue would force the organisation to launch an agitation.
He also called for regularisation of seasonal teachers and enhancement of remuneration for vocational trainers, CRCs, Kissan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs), SPOs, Rehbar-e-Khel, physical teachers, Janglat workers, Rehbar-e-Taleem, Rehbar-e-Sehat, National Youth Corps workers, SRO-43 cases, CPWs, land donors and Anganwadi workers, among others.
Dimple further demanded regularisation of striking daily wagers and relief for paramedical workers. He alleged that the existing power system in Jammu and Kashmir has failed to address the concerns of the people effectively.
He also claimed that unemployment had increased after the abrogation of Article 370 and alleged that employment opportunities for local youth had declined.
Among those present during the protest were Dev Raj, Vipan Gupta, Rakesh Sharma, Mukesh Gupta, Ram Kumar Das, Shafi Khan, Akbar Khan and several others.