Srinagar, Feb 9: The government on Monday said it has collected over Rs 48 crore in application fees from unemployed youth over the past two years through the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB).

Responding to a question by PDP MLA Pulwama, Waheed ur Rehman Para, the government said that Rs 14.48 crore was collected in 2023-24 - including Rs 7.39 crore by JKPSC and Rs 7.09 crore by JKSSB.
In 2024-25, JKPSC collected over Rs 10 crore, while JKSSB generated more than Rs 23 crore as application fee from job aspirants.
The total amount collected over the two years stands at Rs 48.88 crore, the government said.
It further informed the House that around 10,400 posts have been advertised by JKSSB in the last two years, while JKPSC has advertised around 1,750 posts during the same period.
Speaking in assembly Para said that 70 percent of the population of Jammu and Kashmir yet there is nothing for them in the budget
He said that if you aren't providing them jobs at least don't charge them in huge amounts as there are candidates who are unable to submit forms.
"This is despite the Government’s explicit promise that all application forms would be made free. Charging exorbitant fees from jobless youth not only contradicts the stated policy of the Government but also amounts to blatant exploitation of unemployed aspirants, who are already under severe economic distress," he said.