Srinagar, Aug 13 (KNO): CPI (M) senior leader and former MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami on Thursday said the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to abolish Self Help Groups (SHGs) of engineers is another glaring example how the BJP government is hell bent to deprive people of their livelihood.
“Over 15000 young unemployed engineers are earning their bread and butter by working through SHG in various departments like R&B, PMGSY, PHE, PDD, etc for the last more than a decade and half. About 2500 SHGs of engineers from various streams like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, Electronics and Communications, Computer Sciences, Bio Medical Engineering etc are working through these groups and contributing for nation building since 2004,” Tarigami said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said not only were these engineers earning their livelihood through this scheme, but they were also contributing in the development of the region. “These engineers are technically trained as well to carry out such works and what is the harm if they continue? But the reality is that the BJP government is making all efforts to make those who are already in employment, lose their jobs,” he said, adding that the abrupt and wrong decision of the J&K administration has shocked the families of these hapless engineers.
“They have set up their offices and hired the services of private accountants, computer operators and even the office boys/ peons etc. Their bread and butter is also connected with such SHGs. They will also be badly affected with this anti-youth and anti-worker decision of the administration,” he said.
Tarigami said the BJP had promised that it will create employment for the youth, but till now instead of creating new avenues, they have snatched a source of livelihood from thousands of people in Jammu and Kashmir since last year. “The anti-youth decisions of J&K administration have sparked huge resentment throughout the region,” he said.
He added the SHG engineers have launched an agitation and the CPI (M) supports their genuine demands. “The J&K administration must take back this anti-youth decision at the earliest,” he said—(KNO)