The fresh alumni from campuses of Jharkhand Government Tool Room Training Centre (JGTRTC) in Ranchi and Dumka are finding themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea.
The diplomas in Tool and Die Making they worked hard for the past four years are no good for higher studies in Jharkhand, according to Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB), nor can they get jobs here as there are no vacancies in the State which requires their qualifications.
“JCECEB, the same agency which allowed us to enrol for the diploma course at JGTRTC, has now rejected our applications for joining Bachelor of Technology courses in state colleges. The reason cited is that our prior academic qualification is not equivalent to the mechanical ones, which is required for B.Tech courses,” stated one of the students from Ranchi campus, reiterating his dilemma before Social Welfare Minister louis Marandi during the weekly Janta Darbar on Wednesday.
“Those who went for jobs in state-run organisations were disqualified despite clearing the preliminary tests. We don’t have any other option and the situation has been like this since we passed out in September 2015. Students from other States who come to Jharkhand can get admission into courses or even get jobs, but youngsters of the state will have to face persecution for other’s faults,” he further added.
Their efforts to seek help from other available channels have not been fruitful either. “On calling up Jan Samvad helpline on 181, we were told that this is a policy-related matter, and will have to be taken to policymakers for amendments. And this will take time. We have even tried to consult Chief Minister himself, but were sent off curtly,” stated a JGTRTC, Dumka student.
The Social Welfare Minister assured them that she will forward requests to the concerned department and ensure swift action on the matter.
In another complaint which came to the public court, delays in delivering promised help to the family members of Uttarakhand floods from Jharkhand were registered. “Former CM Hemant Soren had promised widow and elderly pension along with financial aid to girls for education and marriage back in August 2014, but we are yet to receive any of the promised relief,” stated Navnedu Upadhyay, who lost both his parents in the floods. Funds to the tune of Rs 1.31 crore were sanctioned by the State Government in 2014 for these.