The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased from 6.7% in 2019-20 to 6.1% in 2023-24, according to the J-K government. Officials credit this decline to various initiatives, including the creation of 9.58 lakh livelihood opportunities through different schemes.
Minister Javed Ahmad Dar shared this information in the Assembly, noting that the labour force participation rate and workers population ratio also improved, reaching 64.3% and 60.4% respectively in 2023-24.
Responding to a question from National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul, Dar, speaking on behalf of Employment Minister Surinder Choudhary, stated that unemployment has not risen sharply in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.
He referred to the 2025 Economic Survey, which showed a steady decrease in the unemployment rate: 5.9% in 2020-21, 5.2% in 2021-22, 4.4% in 2022-23, before slightly rising to 6.1% in 2023-24. He said these figures indicate the success of government policies aimed at strengthening the labour market and improving citizens’ quality of life.
To boost employment, the government has recruited 11,526 individuals through the J-K Public Service Commission and J-K Services Selection Board in the last two years. In 2023, 4,836 people were selected, while in 2024, the number increased to 6,690.
Additionally, the private sector provided jobs to 45,688 unemployed youth in the industrial sector, with 15,719 placements in 2022-23 and 29,969 in 2023-24.
Self-employment schemes such as 'Mumkin', 'Tejaswani', the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), and the Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) have contributed significantly to job creation.
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Over the last four years, these initiatives generated 2,99,266 livelihood opportunities in 2021-22, 2,83,664 in 2022-23, 2,38,675 in 2023-24, and 1,36,165 in 2024-25 up to January.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 3.01 crore person-days of work have been generated, benefiting 8.07 lakh households.
The government has launched several programs focused on youth development and entrepreneurship, including 'Mission Yuva', which aims to support five lakh potential entrepreneurs. This initiative seeks to create over 1,37,000 new businesses and generate 4.25 lakh employment opportunities over five years.
Additionally, 246 job fairs have been organised in the last four years, resulting in 4,893 placements by 2,760 companies and skill training recommendations for 6,640 candidates. Efforts to promote self-employment continue, with skill development training being provided across Jammu and Kashmir to help job seekers build careers and sustain livelihoods.
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