Young voters push for jobs & transparent recruitment system

Srinagar, Sep 25:
Young voters in the Srinagar and Budgam segments, during the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections held today, voiced their concerns over unemployment, urging the government to focus on jobs, entrepreneurship policies, and transparent recruitment exams.
At the Mujgund polling station, Javid Ahmad, a young voter, expressed frustration over the rising unemployment rate in the Valley. “Unemployment is growing with each passing day. We hope the new assembly addresses these concerns and creates a better future for everyone,” Ahmad told *Rising Kashmir*. He emphasized the need for the government to implement concrete policies to curb the unemployment crisis in the region. “Despite earning degrees and acquiring skills, many Kashmiris still face limited opportunities for work,” he said.
Mohammad Umar, a voter from Lawaypora polling station, hailed the decision to hold assembly elections after a decade but called for real change. “We’ve heard politicians make promises for years, but the situation on the ground hasn’t changed. What we need now is action—jobs, not just empty promises,” Umar said. He urged the government to foster private sector growth and promote entrepreneurship. “There are few job opportunities here, and most are in the public sector. We need policies that encourage private investment and allow us to create jobs for ourselves,” he added.
In addition to employment, Umar stressed the need to improve basic infrastructure beyond Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, calling for road upgrades and other development initiatives in neglected areas.
Bilal Ahmad Sofi, a voter at Hamdaniya Colony in Srinagar, echoed similar sentiments. He urged the government to introduce incentives for unemployed youth, particularly those aspiring to start businesses. “There’s so much potential here, and the government should step in to make it easier for us to start and grow businesses. With the right support, Kashmiri youth can create jobs,” Sofi said.
Another voter, Bilal Hussain Rizvi, who recently qualified the NET exams in Public Administration, raised concerns about the transparency of recruitment processes. Speaking outside Khumani Chowk polling station, he highlighted the mistrust that has built up among the youth due to irregularities in previous recruitment exams. “Too many young people have lost faith in the system because of corruption and nepotism. We need recruitment exams that are fair and transparent,” Rizvi said.
He called for leaders who would address these systemic issues and restore faith in the system. “We deserve a fair recruitment process, especially given the tough competition. It’s time the system changes, and justice is done for the aspiring candidates,” Rizvi added.
With the new assembly elections in full swing, the youth of the Valley are hopeful for a government that will prioritize addressing unemployment and reforming the recruitment process to ensure fairness and transparency.