Warn agitation if demand not met
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 10: The Engineers that were engaged under the ‘Self Help Group of Engineers Scheme’ (SHGES) today demanded revocation of the Government order under which the scheme was abolished last year.
Addressing a press conference here, the representatives of these engineers said that while the Government is making tall claims of employing the youth, at the same they are depriving scores of the youth of basic livelihood.
They said that at least 10,000 engineers were associated with the scheme which was abolished by the Government last year which was followed by mass protests by the engineers across J&K. Click here to watch video
“We tried to go to everyone, but officials are not meeting us, not even the LG; if they are saying that they will employ the youth, but what are they doing on the ground,” asked Pervaiz Ahmad President of the association.
He said that the LG recently termed youth as the biggest power, “but what is being done is ironic as the laying down of guidelines of the scheme took at least 8 years and the scheme was abolished in a jiffy; our families are on the verge of starvation while we don’t any means to earn our livelihood.”
Notably, the Government has constituted a committee in this regard 4 months ago; however, after 2 meetings of the committee headed by the Advisor R.R. Bhatnagar, the engineers said, nothing worthwhile has come out of it.
“The committee had sought reports from the concerned departments which has applauded the work that we have been doing under the scheme for last more than 20 years, but we see nothing coming out of it,” he said.
The engineers said that the committee is going to hold the 3rd meeting in this regard, however, they said, the Government is not coming clear on that.
“We appeal the PM and HM. We seek restoration of the scheme before it is too late; the Government is making these youth suffer and we don’t know what happens next,” they said.
The representatives said that they impress upon the Government to restore the scheme without any further delay, otherwise they will be forced to launch another massive agitation to press for their demands.
“We appeal the LGs administration to restore the scheme otherwise we will be forced to come on the road. It should happen within a week and if that does not happen, we will be forced to start a mass agitation.
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