Shrey Awasthi
Behind the serene hills and picturesque landscapes of Himachal Pradesh lies a pressing and overlooked crisis, one that threatens the future of the state’s most promising asset: its youth.
A recent government notification has added fuel to the fire of youth frustration. It mandates that new appointees will only be regularised after two-year training and an additional qualifying examination. This move has been perceived as a rollback of progress, especially when former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh had reduced the regularisation period from eight years to two.
Now, introducing another hurdle after two-year training seems unjust and demoralising to thousands who have waited for years just for a chance at employment.
Worse still, schemes like “Mitra” offer temporary positions with honorariums as low as ₹5,000-₹6,000 per month. In today’s inflation-driven economy, can a young individual support their family on such meagre compensation? Where is the dignity in this kind of employment? Where is the path to stability and self-respect?
Broken system & hollow announcements
More than 10 lakh educated youth are registered in state employment exchanges. Yet, there is no comprehensive or time-bound recruitment roadmap. The State Staff Selection Commission lies dormant. Recruitment notifications are delayed, often cancelled or used as pre-election gimmicks.
This kind of political opportunism causes not just disillusionment but mental trauma for youth and their families. The result: A growing atmosphere of frustration, stress and instability, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to severe social imbalance in the near future.
Four prominent demands of the youth
The youth of Himachal Pradesh, united under the banner of the Himachal Pradesh Unemployed Youth Federation, have sought urgent attention to the following demands:
• Establishment of an Independent and Autonomous ‘Youth Commission’ to understand youth concerns, recommend policy interventions and act as a bridge between the government and the young population
• Immediate revival and empowerment of the HP Staff Selection Commission to ensure regular and transparent recruitment drives without unnecessary delays
• Public disclosure of vacancies in all departments, followed by a time-bound and transparent recruitment process to instill trust in the system
• Replacing contractual “Mitra”-style posts with permanent and secure jobs to offer long-term career paths and job security to young aspirants
Redefining the true measure of development
Real development is not merely about infrastructure, flyovers or new buildings, but a state’s progress must be measured by the confidence, self-reliance and empowerment of its youth.
If the voices of the youth are not heard, the state risks losing an entire generation, and along with it, Himachal’s potential for inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Chief Minister and the state leadership should, therefore, take immediate and serious steps to restore hope, create opportunities and deliver justice to the youth of Himachal Pradesh. Because the true strength of Himachal lies not in its mountains, but in the dreams, energy and resolve of its youth
(The writer is the state coordinator of the Himachal Pradesh Unemployed Youth Federation; views are personal)
