JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced on Thursday that the current joblessness rate in the Union Territory stands at 6.1% for individuals aged 15 and above during the 2023-24 period, as per data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Responding to an inquiry from MLA Tanvir Sadiq, the government revealed that 3,70,811 job-seeking youth had voluntarily registered on the official employment portal by the end of January 2025.
Major Self-Employment Push
To address the employment challenge, the government has introduced multiple self-employment programs under schemes such as Mumkin, Tejaswini, Mission Youth, the Prime Ministerโs Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), and the Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP).
These initiatives have collectively enabled the creation of approximately 9.58 lakh self-employment opportunities since 2021. In the ongoing fiscal year (2024-25), about 1.36 lakh new employment opportunities have already been established.
Rural Employment & Mission YUVA
Furthermore, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the government has generated 3.01 crore person-days of employment, directly benefiting 8.07 lakh households across the Union Territory.
To bolster entrepreneurship and skill development, the administration has launched Mission YUVAโa comprehensive initiative aimed at setting up 1.35 lakh entrepreneurial units and providing employment opportunities to 4.5 lakh youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Bridging the Job Market Gap
The government is also promoting skill-building initiatives through specialized training programs, equipping young individuals with the expertise needed for self-reliance. Regular job fairs are being organized to connect job seekers with employers, ensuring better participation in the private sector job market.
Authorities emphasized that these multi-pronged efforts aim to reduce unemployment and foster economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
