Kishtwar, August 9:(KNS) Expressing his serious concern over growing unemployment, Pradesh Congress Committee and former minister, Ghulam Mohammed Saroori appealed to the Government to create employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The unemployment has increased after J&K was downgraded into Union Territory. The Government had promised thousands of jobs for the unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir but no job was provided. Instead they have withdrawn advertised posts leaving the youth in confusion about their future,” said Saroori.

The former minister alleged that in absence of jobs and Government’s failure to regularize HR workers, daily wagers, NHM doctors, paramedical, casual labourers and others even as they have served more than one decades of their lives in the service of different government departments.

“The youth are in deep despair. The Union Territory status has given hopelessness and it has not provided any job. Many hydro-projects are going on in Kishtwar but locals are not getting the jobs whether they are skilled or unskilled. The companies prefer non-locals which have further alienated educated youth because outsiders are being adjusted in their place,” said Saroori.

On the other, he said, the Government has also not restored the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir whereas the 4G speed internet has become a dream for the people of the erstwhile state who have lost their identity.

“The Government should fulfill what they had promised the people of the Jammu and Kashmir i.e. statehood and restoration of 4G speed internet,” Saroori appealed.(KNS)