JAMMU, Jun 26: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv. Devraj Sharma today expressed serious concern over reports regarding the outsourcing of nearly 24,000 government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that such a move could have far-reaching social and economic consequences for the region’s youth.In a statement issued here, Sharma said that while employment generation remains one of the most pressing priorities for Jammu and Kashmir, any recruitment mechanism that bypasses open competition, transparency and equal opportunity is bound to create resentment among educated unemployed youth.
He observed that thousands of young men and women spend years preparing for government examinations with the hope of securing stable employment through a fair and merit-based process. “When such aspirations are replaced by outsourcing arrangements, it sends a discouraging message to deserving candidates who have invested their time, resources and energy in pursuing government careers,” he said.
Sharma cautioned that the issue goes beyond employment statistics and touches upon the larger question of social equity. “If outsourced employees work alongside regularly recruited government employees but receive substantially lower salaries, fewer benefits and limited job security, a sense of discrimination and injustice is likely to emerge. Such disparities can gradually create divisions within society and weaken the confidence of youth in public institutions,” he remarked.
The former Sarpanch said that the psychological impact on unemployed youth must not be underestimated. “At a time when young people need encouragement, opportunities and faith in the system, policies perceived as unfair can lead to frustration and alienation. Society cannot afford a situation where one section of youth enjoys stable careers and respectable incomes while another section, despite possessing similar qualifications, remains trapped in insecure and poorly paid employment,” he added.
Advocating a constructive way forward, Sharma urged the Government to accelerate regular recruitment through transparent examinations conducted by competent agencies and ensure that all vacant posts are filled on merit. He also called for the creation of new employment avenues through industrial investment, skill development programmes, entrepreneurship promotion and expansion of the private sector.He further suggested that outsourced employees engaged in essential public services should be provided fair wages, social security benefits and opportunities for regularization based on performance and experience.
“Our youth are the greatest asset of Jammu and Kashmir. They must be given hope, dignity and equal opportunities. Policies should unite young people through fairness and merit rather than create perceptions of inequality and exclusion. Sustainable peace, progress and prosperity can only be achieved when every young person feels that hard work and talent will be rewarded,” Sharma said.
He appealed to the Government to engage with stakeholders, youth organizations and employment experts before implementing any large-scale outsourcing policy, ensuring that the interests and aspirations of the younger generation remain at the centre of governance and decision-making.