Job aspirants from UP, MP spark row

After names of two candidates from outside Jammu and Kashmir appeared on the list of shortlisted candidates for interview in the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom, Jammu, a political controversy broke out where leaders and workers said that “outsiders” were now taking the jobs of locals.

A government notice appeared in a section of media which highlighted shortlisting of a total of six candidates out of which two belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The other four belonged to Kathua district.

The notice stated, “Through the medium of this notice, it is hereby informed that the following candidates who have been found eligible as per the guidelines in vogue for engagement/hiring to the post of Cluster Development Executive in Basohli Pashmina Cluster, Kathua, are advised to appear before the committee constituted for engagement of Cluster Development Executive and Textile Designer on October 22 at 11 am in the office chamber of Directorate Handicraft and Handloom, Jammu.”

Aditya Gupta, state vice-president, Youth PDP, said, “Jobs in Jammu are not secure and the BJP is trying to mislead the public with empty promises of a Dogra Chief Minister. The protection of land rights and jobs was at the heart of Article 370, which safeguarded Jammu’s future. Now, we are left fighting for our own survival.”

The issue of jobs to “outsiders” had remained a hot topic even during the recently concluded Assembly poll in J&K. Most of the parties including NC, PDP, Congress and others had stated that they would ensure that jobs in J&K are reserved for the residents of the erstwhile state.

Junaid Mattoo, former minister and former Mayor of Srinagar who contested the Assembly poll as an Independent and lost, in a statement said, “Weren’t we told that our jobs were protected? Why are applicants from UP and MP getting government jobs in J&K? The Chief Minister should immediately get this short-list rescinded in the interests of the unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir.”