17 lakh applications for 3400 posts!

That India still has many educated unemployed youth is clear from the fact that 17 lakh youth applied for 3400 vacancies for talati minister in the state of Gujarat. The applicants included a significant number of graduates and postgraduates too, whereas the minimum qualification is Class 10.

The responsibilities of a talati minister include tax collection, administrative work and creating reports pertaining to the gram panchayats. The talati ministers are also responsible for maintaining land records and collecting irrigation dues.

The average salary of a talati minister is about Rs 19,950. Those who have at least passed their Class 10 board exam are eligible to apply. The written exam is scheduled to be held in July 2022.

The selected candidates can expect government accommodation, transportation facility, paternity and maternity leaves, medical leaves, paid holidays, bonus, health insurance and pension among other perks.

Unemployment is on the rise down south too. In Kerala, which is supposed to be the most literate state in India, the unemployment rate increased from 9 per cent to 10 per cent in 2019-20, at a time when India’s national average fell from 5.8 per cent in 2018-19 to 4.8 per cent in 2019-20.

In August 2021, there were about 38 lakh job seekers in Kerala. The number of people who have got jobs via the employment exchanges has also dropped over the years. Men far outnumber women in public-sector jobs. However, there seem to be equal number of men and women in private-sector jobs.

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has set itself a target of providing jobs to over 16,000 youth through the Mukhyamantri Gramodyog Rozgar Yojana. The aim is to provide employment to at least one member of every family by 2026-27, by setting up about business 800 units a year. The objective is to ensure that youth do not feel the need to migrate to urban areas from the villages.