Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 10: The National Youth Corps (NYC) volunteers today gave an ultimatum of one week to the State Government for extension of their contracts failing which they will come out in protest and gherao the Civil Secretariat.
Hundreds of NYC volunteers carried out a protest demonstration here and sought intervention of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in fulfilling their demand of extension of the contracts that are expiring from June onwards.
During the protest the volunteers also took strong exception of the recent Government directive asking graduates among them to enroll under the ‘Udaan’ scheme launched by the Union Government for the skilled unemployed youth of the state. They termed the directive as a ploy to divide them and create confusion among their ranks.
Talking to Excelsior, Ajaz Ahmad Shah, General Secretary, NYC Volunteers Association said that the decision to gherao the Civil Secretariat has been taken following the alleged indifference of the Government towards their demands. He said that Chief Minister should come in and use his influence in extending their contracts beyond two years.
“We met the Youth Services and Sports Minister yesterday and he feigned ignorance about the directive under the Udaan scheme. He once again assured us that there would be extension in our contracts, but the formal orders are yet to be issued. Hopefully it would happen soon so that we are absolved of the mental tension,” said Ajaz.
Mudasir Hassan, State President, NYC Volunteers Association said the volunteers are carrying out most of the jobs in the Government departments. He said the youth engaged have given their valuable time, adding that Government should reciprocate their good work with the benefit of extension in the contracts.
The protesting volunteers said that Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President and Rajya Sabha member, Professor Saif-ud-din Soz had told them the orders for the extension of their contracts have already been issued. They said that Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar has also made the same announcement.
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