The Kashmir Dialogues
Rijiju gives appointment letters at Katra*Govt recruitment up by 50 pc in one decade: Dr Jitendra
JAMMU, Oct 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said over 11 lakh recruitment letters have been issued through Rozgar Melas and the Government has created avenues to connect candidates who narrowly missed the Government jobs, with prospective employers in the private sector.
In a recorded message at 17th Rozgar Mela in which 51,000 job letters were given to the youth at 40 places across the country including Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the Central Government is working to empower the youth.
Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju distributed job letters among the newly appointed youth at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) in Katra while Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh coordinated the programme from New Delhi.
“The Government has created avenues to connect candidates, who have narrowly missed Government jobs, with prospective employers in the private sector,” the Prime Minister said in his message and added that even the country’s foreign policy was being shaped keeping the interest of the youngsters in mind.
Referring to the Government’s new initiative — the ‘Pratibha Setu Portal’ — which offers opportunities to candidates who reached the final list of UPSC but were not selected, Modi said their efforts will not go in vain.
“Both private and public institutions are now engaging with these talented individuals through the portal,” he added.
He said empowering the youth is a priority of the BJP-led NDA Government.”
The Prime Minister said India has entered into investment partnerships with several European countries, creating thousands of new job opportunities.
“For the past 11 years, the nation has been advancing with a resolve to build a developed India, with the youth playing the most pivotal role in this journey”, said the Prime Minister, emphasizing that youth empowerment remains a top priority for their Government. He stated that these efforts are not limited to Government jobs alone. The Government has launched the ‘PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana’ with a target to provide employment to 3.5 crore youth. He further remarked that initiatives like the Skill India Mission are equipping youth with necessary training, while platforms such as the National Career Service are connecting them with new opportunities. He also noted that through this platform, information on more than 7 crore vacancies has already been shared with the youth.
Highlighting that the festive season has been enriched by the GST Bachat Utsav, Modi noted the significant reform in GST rate reductions across the country. He stated that the impact of these reforms goes beyond consumer savings, as next-generation GST reforms are also expanding employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said Jammu and Kashmir’s “destiny” has changed, following the abrogation of Article 370 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, paving the way for peace and development in the region.
“Today, Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward on the path of peace and development,” Rijiju told reporters in Katra after distribution of job letters among the youth at the SMVDU.
Asserting that the world wants to see Kashmir, he said when there is peace and progress; it will look even more magnificent.
“I have been coming to Kashmir for many years – I came in the 1970s, in the 1980s, and even after the 1990s and 2000s. But the kind of development that began in Jammu and Kashmir after 2014 had never happened before,” the Union Minister said.
He said that before the Constitutional changes were made while revoking Article 370, several provisions of the Indian Constitution and reservation policies were not applicable in J-K and that many Central schemes could not reach the people before.
However, he added, after the removal of Article 370, a lot of work has been done.
Replying to a question on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s demand for full Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Rijiju said he cannot offer his comment on it.
Rijiju extended his greetings to the 51,000 youths who were given Government jobs.
“When someone gets a job, it is not only the person but the whole family and society that share the joy,” he said.
The event was also attended by Dr. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, senior officials, and representatives from participating Central Government departments. The Minister highlighted that the Rozgar Mela reflects the Government’s continued commitment to employment generation and skill development, ensuring that India’s youth play a central role in nation-building.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said that the past decade has witnessed a remarkable transformation in Government recruitment, with the total number of appointments made through the Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board and UPSC rising from about 7.22 lakh in the previous decade to 10.96 lakh in the last 10 years – an increase of more than 50 percent.
Addressing the Rozgar Mela while coordinating the programme from New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh revealed that another major achievement in the last decade has been the clearance of long-pending promotions.
Over 20 lakh stagnated promotions have been processed across various departments in the past 11 years, ending years of stagnation for many employees. The number of appointments made for backlog and pending categories has increased nearly fourfold – from about 1.08 lakh earlier to 4.72 lakh in the last decade, he said.
The Minister said that another major achievement in the last decade has been the clearance of long-pending promotions. Over 20 lakh promotions have been processed across various departments in the past 11 years, ending years of stagnation for many employees. The number of appointments made for backlog and pending categories has increased nearly fourfold – from about 1.08 lakh earlier to 4.72 lakh in the last decade.
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted how several State governments have adopted similar recruitment models inspired by the Rozgar Mela.
“Over the past 15 months, more than 4.6 lakh appointments have been made through such state-level initiatives. Bihar led the country with about 90,000 appointments, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 85,000 and Rajasthan with around 60,000,” he added.
He linked this employment generation to the broader progress in infrastructure.
“Over the past decade, the length of National Highways has expanded from 91,287 km to 1,46,204 km, while the number of operational airports has grown from 74 to 162. These developments have not only strengthened connectivity but also created lakhs of direct and indirect jobs,” he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the Government’s efforts have ensured that opportunities reach people at every level – from Central Ministries to State departments.
“The Rozgar Mela is more than an appointment drive. It represents the government’s commitment to empower youth, ensure fairness, and make governance responsive and transparent,” he added.
The Union Minister said India’s economy continues to expand and the Government will maintain its focus on creating new employment avenues through innovation, infrastructure, and administrative reforms, ensuring that every deserving citizen has the opportunity to contribute to nation-building.
Addressing the function at SMVDU Katra, Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana said the employment generation is a key pillar of socio-economic development.
“Providing stable and dignified employment to youth is crucial for growth of our society and nation,” he said, adding the Rozgar Mela not only offers jobs but also inspired skill development, self-reliance and entrepreneurship among young Indians.
Khatana said each appointment letter symbolizes hope, opportunity and the Government’s commitment to building a workforce that drives India forward.
