Srinagar, Sep 28 (KNS): The sit-in by agriculture graduates in Jammu and Kashmir entered its eighth day on Monday, with protesters demanding the revocation of what they term "draconian and irrational" recruitment policies of the Agriculture Production Department (APD) that have allegedly blocked entry-level posts for over two decades.

Details available with News Agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) the protesters, mostly graduates and post-graduates in agriculture and allied sciences, are up in arms against SRO-442 of 2017 and SRO-433 of 2004, which they claim have systematically shut down direct recruitment channels in the J&K Agriculture Production Department.

SRO-433, issued in 2004, reduced the direct recruitment quota for Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO) posts from 50 per cent to just 20 per cent, reserving the remaining 80 per cent for promotions. The aggrieved graduates allege that no AEO post has been advertised for direct recruitment in the nearly two decades since.

The situation was further aggravated, they say, by SRO-442 of 2017, which changed the recruitment ratio for Junior Agriculture Extension Officer (JAEO) posts from 60:40 (direct:promotional) to 100 per cent promotional, effectively sealing the primary entry point for fresh agriculture technocrats.

The protesters claim that recruitment against entry-level technical posts in the APD has been frozen for the past two decades, leaving thousands of qualified agriculture professionals without any avenue for government employment.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey also pointed to the 2020 advertisement for 156 Agriculture Extension Assistant (AEA) posts, which was abruptly withdrawn in January 2021, dashing the hopes of a large number of aspirants.

The agitating graduates said their protest has been entirely peaceful and aimed at highlighting their "genuine concerns" before the government. However, they rued that not a single word has been heard from the concerned officials in response to their eight-day-long sit-in.

"We are fighting for our fundamental rights. The present recruitment policies have completely blocked entry-level posts for agriculture graduates," a protester said, adding that the prolonged freeze has pushed many aspirants to the brink of ineligibility due to age barriers.

The protesters have demanded the immediate revocation of SRO-442 and SRO-433, restoration of direct recruitment opportunities, identification and filling of vacant posts, age relaxation for those affected by the prolonged delays, and a predictable recruitment calendar for agriculture professionals.

Meanwhile, they have urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir government to intervene and initiate a dialogue with their representatives, warning that their peaceful agitation will continue until their demands are addressed. (KNS)