The Silent Death of J&K’s Agricultural Youth

 

By Muqeem Sheikh

Jammu: While convocation halls echo with applause and optimism, outside their walls, thousands of unemployed agricultural youth of Jammu & Kashmir are slowly dying in silence — not by hunger or illness, but by the weight of ignored promises, delayed files, and a system that has failed them.

At the 6th Convocation of SKUAST-Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke passionately about the potential of young scientists, praising their ability to transform agriculture, bridge science with society, and carry J&K’s legacy into the future. His words were strong. His vision was grand. But for the very youth he addressed, the future he spoke of doesn’t exist.

20 Years. 0 Advertisements. 1,000+ Dreams Destroyed.

Since 2005, not a single post has been advertised in the Agriculture Production Department of J&K. Not one. While the department has over 1,000 sanctioned posts — from Agriculture Officer (AO) to Director — only 150 to 200 officers are working today, most on additional charges, overstretched and undervalued.

Every year, SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir produce 1,000 to 1,500 qualified agricultural graduates and postgraduates. These are not just degree-holders — they are trained scientists, horticulturists, floriculturists, agronomists, animal scientists, soil experts — equipped to serve the land, the farmers, and the state.

But what are they doing today?

Nothing.
They are unemployed, unheard, and buried beneath a file.

The File That Froze 1,000 Futures

The “Amendment of Rules” file — which was supposed to clear the way for recruitment — has been pending in the General Administration Department (GAD) for over six months. A simple administrative step that could bring justice to thousands has been deliberately delayed, trapped in red tape, and possibly derailed by internal departmental interests.

Behind this is a dark political deadlock — a power struggle between the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister. The newly formed government and Raj Bhavan have not yet finalized business rules, which means nobody knows who holds the authority to sign off key decisions. And while this game of control continues, thousands of youth are falling into depression, anxiety, and hopelessness.

You Speak of Projects — But Ignore People

The government flaunts its Rs 5,000 crore agricultural transformation plan, its 29 mega-projects in saffron, dairy, walnut, and smart farming. There are press conferences, press notes, and press photos. There are speeches about doubling farmers’ income.

But there is no press release about the jobless agricultural youth.
There is no photo of the postgraduate student working as a laborer.
There is no headline about the anxiety patient who once topped his class in horticulture.

How long will the system pretend these young people don’t exist?

How long will the files be kept locked, while hearts break in silence?

Depression is Not a Vacancy. Broken Dreams Don’t Need a Degree.

These students are not just unemployed — they are being psychologically crushed. Many are in their late 20s and 30s now. With no income, no job, no future, they are unable to marry, unable to help their families, and unable to even hold on to self-respect. Their degrees have turned into burdens. Some are being called a “waste” by their own relatives.

They didn’t ask for luxury — they only asked for what was already theirs. A job. A post. A chance.

This Is Not Delay — This Is Betrayal

Let it be known clearly:
This is not a government failing.
This is a government choosing to fail.

This is not a system breaking.
This is a system refusing to care.

If 20 years of silence on recruitment doesn’t wake up the administration, then what will?

If a file stuck for six months in GAD can’t be moved while youth collapse emotionally and socially — then what exactly is “governance”?

Enough of Speeches. We Demand Action.

Immediately clear the Amendment of Rules file.

Frame the business rules and clarify powers between LG and CM — because the youth cannot suffer for your egos.

Advertise the pending posts in the Agriculture Production Department without any further delay.

You promised a new J&K.
You promised empowerment.
You promised youth-led growth.

Prove it. Or stop pretending.

Because while you debate in offices,
While you speak of innovation,
A generation is dying quietly — buried beneath the files.

The post The Silent Death of J&K’s Agricultural Youth appeared first on Daily Excelsior.

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