Job fair in J-K addresses growing rate of unemployment

The state government organised a job fair in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir to address the growing problem of unemployment.

The fair was organised by the District Employment and Counseling Centre in order to make the youth in the district aware of the various government sponsored schemes.

Various government departments including sheep husbandry, animal husbandry, handloom, fisheries, horticulture, floriculture, agriculture and more put up their stalls at the fair which were thronged by many.

An organiser, Asia Nazir, said there aren't enough government jobs for all and hence the youth needed to explore other options.

"The main objective of this fair is to provide a means of employment to the unemployed population, to stand on their feet. They can benefit from our schemes and join the private sector or work towards self-employment," said Nazir.

The fair is on for two days. During the fair experts from various departments would give lectures about the employment opportunities that their respective department offers and would also demonstrate the functions of machinery.

A visitor, Abdul Majeed, said such fairs must be held more frequently.

"More of such fairs should be held. It is not necessary that such fairs should be held only in Ganderbal but should be held across the state," said Majeed.

According to the fourth Annual Employment and Unemployment Survey report for 2013-14, Jammu and Kashmir has an unemployment rate of 105. This makes Kashmir the state with the eighth highest rate of unemployment in India.