Completion of Delhi-Katra Rail Line: Hakeem seeks special employment package for J&K youth

Srinagar, Jan 05: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the completion of the Delhi-Katra-Baramulla rail line. He urged the Central government to launch a special employment package for local educated youth as well as skilled and unskilled workers in Indian Railways.
In a statement issued here, Yaseen welcomed the establishment of a full-fledged railway division in Jammu and expressed hope that local youth would receive priority in recruitment efforts within the Indian Railways. “The ambitious rail project would significantly enhance socio-economic conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, improve livelihoods, and generate job opportunities for unemployed youth in the region,” he said.
The former minister specifically appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate a special employment initiative for the youth, saying it is imperative to leverage the benefits that the new rail line will bring to the area.
Hakeem reiterated his demands for the regularisation of contractual and daily wage workers employed across various government departments and public sector undertakings (PSUs), many of whom have been earning meagre salaries for years. He criticised the government for its lack of action on this issue and urged the National Conference (NC) government to fulfill promises made in their election manifesto regarding the regularization of these workers.
Highlighting the dire financial circumstances faced by casual labourers, the PDF chief criticised the government’s silence on the plight of these workers, many of whom are struggling to support their families. He called for the swift announcement of a roadmap for the phased regularization of casual workers, particularly those in crucial sectors such as CICs, Anganwadi, ASHA, health, and National Health Mission (NHM).
Yaseen also expressed concerns over the rising unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir, which he noted is the highest in the country. “Urgent action is needed to address this critical issue and improve employment opportunities for the youth in the region,” he said.