The Centre is focusing strongly on employment for Jammu and Kashmir youth, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje said in the Rajya Sabha. She shared that a young girl from the region once told her it was the first time a Prime Minister was thinking about the children of Jammu and Kashmir. The minister used this remark to underline the government’s push towards jobs and social security in the Union Territory.
Her statement came during a debate on unemployment. Opposition members raised concern about rising joblessness and its social impact in J&K.
Unemployment and Rising Concerns
Jammu and Kashmir continues to face serious unemployment challenges. Many educated young people are still searching for stable jobs. This has become more than just an economic issue. Leaders from the region say it is now a social crisis too.
National Conference MP Chowdry Muhammad Ramzan described unemployment as a striking issue. He warned that joblessness is pushing some youth towards drugs and other harmful activities. According to him, thousands remain without meaningful work. That frustration builds slowly, and then shows in troubling ways.
Drug abuse among youth has been repeatedly flagged by local leaders and experts. They say lack of opportunity makes young minds vulnerable. It is not a simple matter of income. It is about dignity and direction.
Government’s Response and EPFO Data
In response, Minister Karandlaje highlighted steps taken by the Centre. She said the aim is to bring young people to the forefront of employment. One key data point she shared was about EPFO enrollment.
According to her, around 1,60,000 individuals from Jammu and Kashmir have enrolled in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation in the last two years. This, she said, reflects growing participation in the formal sector. EPFO coverage also means access to social security benefits. That matters for long-term stability.
The minister framed this as progress. Formal jobs create structure. They give workers protection and future savings. For many families, that can change things quietly but deeply.
Political Debate Over Job Creation
The exchange in Parliament reflects a wider national debate. Opposition leaders have often criticised the government over job creation. They argue that numbers shared do not always show the full ground reality. Regional disparities, they say, remain serious.
The government, on the other hand, insists that reforms and welfare schemes are creating opportunities. It points to skill development, entrepreneurship support and industrial policies. In J&K, the Centre has announced several initiatives after the reorganisation of the region.
Still, critics believe more region-specific industrial investment is needed. Tourism alone may not absorb the growing youth population. Manufacturing and technology sectors need expansion. Without that, pressure will continue.
Youth at the Centre of the Discussion
The emotional remark shared by the minister has drawn attention. Whether symbolic or not, it reflects how sensitive the issue is. Young people in Jammu and Kashmir want jobs. They want stability. They want to feel included in the national growth story.
Employment is not only about salary. It shapes identity. It shapes hope. When youth feel ignored, problems rise. When they feel heard, even small steps count.
The debate in Rajya Sabha shows one clear thing. J&K youth employment is now firmly on the national agenda. The coming years will show whether policies translate into visible change on the ground. For now, expectations are high. And so is the pressure.