Jammu & Kashmir
Authors: Khan Bilal Ahmad 
Published: May 2022

This book to interested in gaining an insight into the issues pertaining to the prospect for employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir in present times. The book is original in content. We get here a fresh perspective that boldly shifts the focus from the past demographic and developmental dimensions to the present dynamics of the state, or, rather, the Union Territories. In spelling this out the author, Dr. Bilal Khan, explains in great detail the varied and diversified geographic, agro-climatic and topographic features of the region that pose peculiar and unique problems of development. The author dwells on how the state has been subverted from time to time. The work draws attention to the trends and issues concerning the work force. The policy implications of this work are immense. The book is focused on finding innovative methods to enable the young youth to exercise as well as realize their full potential. The author shows with corroborating evidence that the Central Government not only deployed security forces in large numbers but also spent huge sums of money on building infrastructure and providing economic assistance to Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of addressing the problems of the peasantry and the common people and expanding the employment of the restive youth, this led to the creation of neo-rich strata within the state. Dr. Bilal presents the much neglected dimensions of the economy of Kashmir by showing how the widening gulf over decades has generated mass discontent against the Indian government and created the social basis of separatism and militancy in the 1990s. He points out with much evidence that a radical shift in its policies, especially in the education sector, is an absolute prerequisite for the birth of a capable workforce. The remedy lies in revamping the education sector by crafting appropriate policies for suitable skills in line with the socio-economic requirements of the society. Underdevelopment and unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir is the manifestation of a mismatch between physical and human resources, technically known as structural unemployment. This exists when a large segment of the working age population does not possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to be gainfully employed. Kashmir faced a serious unemployment problem, made me realize that there was an immediate need of a book on Jammu & Kashmir: Levels, Issues, & Prospects of Employment Generation which could educate the young youth about the various aspects and challenges in a simple and lucid manner. The book presents a comprehensive treatment of unemployment and economic problems. It takes care of recent data of workforce wherever it is required. Kashmir being a conflict ridden zone has far less opportunities for employment than rest of the other states. With an underdeveloped industrial sector and the inability of government to create enough jobs, there seems to be no immediate solution. Lack of avenues to engage youth in meaningful ways drives youth towards the miscreants in this society. Young populations across the world are generally seen as drivers of socio-economic growth, but in Kashmir, the youth bulge is a problem. Unemployed youths are betrayed by the anti-social elements and for destabilizing economy by using them as tools for creating mayhem. Underdevelopment and unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir is the manifestation of a mismatch between physical and human resources. This exists when a large segment of the working age population does not possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to be gainfully employed. In addition, lackadascial and imprudent policies pursued by subsequent governments are the major challenge. The book is with much evidence that a radical shift in its policies, especially in the education sector, is an absolute prerequisite for the birth of a capable workforce. The remedy lies in revamping the education sector by crafting appropriate policies for suitable skills in line with the socio-economic requirements of the society. The government adroitly must think about a long-term plan for unemployed youth and devise a policy to channelize youth bulge constructively.