Sopore, September 22: Unemployed agriculture graduates associated with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Wadura, continued their protest in Sopore on Tuesday, demanding changes in the recruitment framework and greater opportunities for agriculture professionals in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest entered its second day, with students raising slogans including “Haqdar ko Rozgar Do” and “We Want Justice” and carrying placards highlighting their demands. Some protesters also wrote messages such as “Roots Need Rights” on their hands.
The graduates are seeking a review or repeal of SRO-442 of 2017, which changed the recruitment structure for Junior Agriculture Extension Officer (JAEO) posts. Under the 2017 rules, the post was made promotional, replacing the earlier arrangement that included direct recruitment. The change has been a long-standing concern among agriculture graduates seeking entry into the Agriculture Production Department.
Speaking to the media, agriculture graduate Komal said students spend several years pursuing professional degrees but face uncertainty after completing their education due to limited recruitment opportunities in their field.
She called for regular recruitment drives, identification and filling of vacant posts, transparent selection procedures and a predictable recruitment calendar for agriculture professionals.
“We will continue our protest until our demands are resolved,” Komal said, urging the government to examine SRO-442 and the existing recruitment structure.
Another agriculture graduate, Zainab Nazir, said qualified graduates were facing difficulties in finding employment opportunities related to their professional education.
She urged the government to consider the concerns of agriculture graduates while framing or amending recruitment rules and called for a mechanism to identify and fill vacant positions.
Zainab also sought timely recruitment notifications and a predictable recruitment calendar, saying this would provide graduates with greater clarity about their career prospects.
Agriculture student Sahil Nazir said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to the employment concerns of agriculture graduates in J&K.
He said recruitment policies should provide opportunities for fresh graduates while maintaining promotional avenues for existing employees. He also called for a review of the recruitment framework in consultation with students, graduates and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Students Association National Convener Nasir Khuehami also raised concerns over recruitment opportunities for Junior Agriculture Extension Officers and Agriculture Extension Officers.
Khuehami said SRO-442 of 2017 changed the recruitment structure for JAEO posts, while the recruitment structure for AEO posts had also undergone changes over the years. According to government and court records, the earlier SRO-179 of 1988 provided for 50 per cent direct recruitment and 50 per cent promotion for AEO and equivalent posts, while SRO-433 of 2007 subsequently changed the ratio to 20 per cent direct recruitment and 80 per cent promotion.
Khuehami said the changes had reduced entry-level opportunities for agriculture graduates and urged the government to review the recruitment framework.
He also referred to the announcement of 156 Agriculture Extension Assistant (AEA) posts in 2020, claiming that their subsequent withdrawal had disappointed aspiring graduates.
The students have urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and address their concerns. They have sought a review of the recruitment framework, restoration of direct recruitment opportunities and a clear employment roadmap for agriculture graduates.
The protesters said they would continue to raise their demands through peaceful means and urged the government to initiate a dialogue with their representatives.
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