Srinagar, June 23: The Valley-based unemployed ITI electrician diploma holders Wednesday held a rally here protesting the ‘delaying tactics’ of the government to fill the vacant posts in Power Development Department (PDD). The diploma holders threatened to intensify their agitation should government fail to address “our grievances.”
 “The manpower in PDD was 28,000 in 1992 and due to retirement of employees it has come down to 17000 only,” they said, adding that against this the ‘area of electrification’ has increased up to 6 times during this period.
 They alleged that the department had made no fresh recruitments from 1998.
 They demanded early redress to their grievances.
 President, Unemployed ITI Electrician Diploma Holders Association, Nisar-ul-Haq said the department had placed unskilled people at Grid and Receiving Stations while as “it is ignoring to appoint the technical persons.”
 He said, “At least 1200 candidates have completed their diplomas in or before 1998 and all of them are without jobs. More than 300 of them have crossed the upper age limit prescribed for the government posts.”
  “Government had given several assurance to us but nothing has been done till now. We are frustrated by the hollow promises of the government,” said Sameer Ahmad, an ITI professional who has just two years left to cross the maximum age limit.
 “The government has left no alternative for us except to take to roads. Our frustration can led us to extreme steps like self-immolation for which the government would be responsible,” said the president of the association.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST