Srinagar, July 10 (JKNS): Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and senior Bhartiya Janta Party leader Sunil Sharma on Friday announced a Valley-wide agitation against the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s outsourcing policy, alleging that it has destroyed the employment prospects of meritorious youth.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, LoP Sharma accused the National Conference-led government of corruption, backdoor recruitment, and misleading the public on the issue of statehood, while claiming that the BJP would fight for the rights of unemployed youth across Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharma, flanked by BJP General Secretary Gopal Mahajan, spokespersons Altaf Thakur, Zorawar Singh, Ankur Sharma, Sahil Bashir, Arif Raja, and Bilal Parray, termed the outsourcing policy an “appointment scam” and alleged that deserving youth were being denied opportunities in favour of backdoor appointments.
According to Sharma, thousands of educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for government job advertisements and aspire to secure employment on the basis of merit and skills, but their dreams are being shattered.
He alleged that poor families, who struggled to educate their children with hopes of securing stable employment, are now facing disappointment and depression due to the government’s recruitment policies.
Sharma launched a scathing attack on the Abdullah family, alleging that it had, for generations, deprived the youth of opportunities and was once again pushing them towards uncertainty.
The BJP leader further alleged that corruption had become rampant since the formation of the present government, claiming that ministers and officials were involved in a “transfer industry” aimed at collecting money.
He alleged that corruption proceeds were being shared among ministers, officials, and the “treasury of one family,” asserting that the BJP had evidence of widespread irregularities.
Calling for an independent probe, Sharma urged investigating agencies to expose alleged corruption in the administration, particularly in departments dealing with mining and transfers.
Referring to the government’s election promises, Sharma claimed that commitments such as providing 10 kilograms of free ration, 200 units of free electricity, one lakh jobs, and 12 LPG cylinders had remained unfulfilled.
He alleged that instead of answering these questions, the ruling party was attempting to divert public attention through its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar seeking restoration of statehood.
Sharma said the BJP considered the outsourcing policy an “appointment scandal” under which, according to him, contractual appointments were first made through outsourcing and later regularised, leaving deserving candidates without opportunities.
Announcing the party’s strategy, Sharma said the BJP would soon launch a mass movement beginning in Kashmir against outsourcing and alleged recruitment irregularities.
He said the agitation would be carried to every district, locality, and neighbourhood, describing it as a fight for justice and the rights of unemployed youth rather than a political campaign.
Inviting youth across party lines, religions, and regions to join the movement, Sharma said it was a collective struggle for employment and justice.
On the issue of statehood, Sharma reiterated that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was part of the BJP’s commitment and manifesto and maintained that it would be restored through Parliament, not through protests at Jantar Mantar.
He criticised the National Conference for, according to him, not mentioning statehood in its election manifesto and accused it of using the issue to escape accountability over governance.
Responding to a question regarding corruption investigations, Sharma said it was the responsibility of investigating agencies to probe alleged irregularities, while the duty of the Opposition was to raise public issues and expose government failures.
He also alleged that corruption had spread across several government offices and challenged the government to roll back the outsourcing policy, warning that the BJP would continue its agitation until the decision was withdrawn.
“The BJP will not remain silent. We will fight till the last breath for the rights of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth,” Sharma said. (JKNS)
