Srinagar, July 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding employment opportunities for the youth, saying that while government jobs alone are not the solution to unemployment, it is the government’s responsibility to create more avenues for youth through private sector recruitment, entrepreneurship and industry partnerships.

The CM made these remarks while addressing the valedictory session of the 77th State-Level Mega Job Fair at Amar Singh College, Srinagar. The event was organised by Desh Bhagat University, Punjab, and Cluster University of Srinagar in collaboration with NIELIT, Nations Development Association (NDA) and MY Bharat.
Addressing the gathering, Omar said institutions of higher learning have a responsibility that extends beyond awarding degrees.
He observed that universities and colleges must actively support students in transitioning from education to employment through continuous engagement and career facilitation.
He noted that for decades, educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir had largely considered their responsibility fulfilled once students graduated. Appreciating the initiative taken by Cluster University Srinagar and Desh Bhagat University in organising the mega job fair, he described it as a significant step towards bridging the gap between education and employment.
The CM highlighted the encouraging outcome of the job fair, stating that of the nearly 5,300 registered candidates, around 470 youth secured job offers, while another 430 candidates reached the final stages of recruitment, requiring only the completion of interview formalities. He said that nearly 900 young men and women had either secured employment or were on the verge of being employed, describing it as an impressive success rate for an initiative that is still in its early stages.
He expressed confidence that with more such employment drives, the number of placements would continue to rise. Calling the event a landmark initiative for Cluster University Srinagar, he said it demonstrated the immense potential of structured campus recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to institutionalise campus recruitment across all universities and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that universities, including the University of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science and Technology, University of Jammu, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and other higher educational institutions, should organise recruitment drives regularly so that students get employment opportunities before completing their studies.