While very big percentages of sanctioned Government posts in different categories have been abolished due to various reasons over the years, a declining trend in the private sector jobs due to demonetisation and GST has only added to the woes of about three lakh graduate job aspirants in the State.
What stands as a stumbling block for job aspirants, especially brilliant students, in building career in Government sector is the maximum age limit of 32 years for general categories. This age limit has squeezed hopes of job aspirants in accessing Government jobs. Besides, the extension of superannuation age by two years has further contracted job opportunities for youths.
These being backdrops, youths under the aegis of the Aashayee Chhatrachhatri Parishad have demanded that the State Government increase the upper age limit to 42.
“Increasing upper age limit to 42 will not only open up job opportunities for lakhs of highly qualified youths but also create a tough competition and help truly talented candidates to build career,” said Parishad convenor Girija Shankar Jena.
“There were about 2.6 lakh graduates waiting for jobs in the State in 2016. Affected by demonetisation and GST, many private companies have cut down number of jobs. Thus the number of job aspirants is increasing further,” he asserted.
He said many developing States have increased the upper age limit to provide opportunities to their youths. The maximum age limit in Goa is 45 years followed by 44 in Telangana, 42 in Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh and 40 in West Bengal, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
“If the Government doesn’t increase the age limit, we will be forced to take to the streets,” threatened Jena.