The newly-elected Jammu and Kashmir government announced its first employment package to tackle the pressing issue of unemployment in the Union territory.
The regional administration has approved the filling of 575 lecturer positions in the School Education Department.
The initiative was announced by Sakina Itoo, who oversees several portfolios, including education. She made the announcement on X, calling it part of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s plan to create jobs for local youth. The vacancies will be advertised by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).
The National Conference (NC) had promised 12 guarantees in its election manifesto, including one lakh jobs for the youth. The party’s manifesto outlined a vision for restoring autonomy, promoting local welfare, and addressing economic and social challenges. A key priority was the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A to reinstate the special status and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
The party seeks to fully implement the 2000 Autonomy Resolution, advocate for Indo-Pak dialogue to address regional tensions and modify laws affecting Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
The NC also pledged to pursue amnesty for political prisoners and streamline verification processes for passports and other documentation to ensure fairness. To combat youth unemployment, the party promised to introduce a Youth Employment Act that would create 1,00,000 jobs within three months of assuming office, in addition to filling all government vacancies within 180 days.
Protecting land and employment rights for residents was another promise in the manifesto. It also included an overhaul of reservation policies to promote balanced representation for all.
On the economic front, the NC promised 200 free electricity units per household, a one-time settlement for unpaid electricity dues, and local control over hydroelectric projects. Furthermore, the party pledged financial assistance for women, offering Rs5,000 per month to female heads of households from economically weaker sections (EWS). Welfare measures promised included 12 free LPG cylinders for EWS households and free access to clean drinking water for all residents.
In healthcare, the NC aims to establish a state health policy. The party proposed to increase the free power share from hydroelectric projects for local use, raising it from the current 10 per cent to 40 per cent.
