Debate on Domicile Law

BY: RANBIR MANHAS PUBLISHED ON APRIL 5, 2020

By replacing the existing ‘State Subject Law’ of Jammu and Kashmir with new Domicile Law, Government of India has hit last nail in the coffin of the State’s ‘Special Status which had sown seeds of separatism in the minds of Kashmiri folk. The new Domicile Law therefore was expected to cause a ripple effect in Kashmir, but that it will cause concern in Jammu province also, was not expected. The cause of concern was Sarkari Naukri, on which youth thought they had lost their right. In fact government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir have been a golden egg laying hen, which everybody likes to get and why should they not? Once you become a servant, whole world comes under you! You get regular pay and perks, which are quite high; you are free to fleece a poor man by the established ‘under the table technique’; you are also free to do private business during office time and enjoy the privilege of doing politics. Now tell me with so many benefits who will not wish to get a government job?

During the initial years of Independence when new departments were created, a flood gate of employment had been opened through which a large number of youth whether educated or uneducated, were absorbed and it was then that people got employment orders on cigarette packs. During this period Matriculates became DCs and SPs without any interviews. But, now that flood of government jobs has dried up so running after them would be like chasing a mirage in the vast sea of sand. The only scope for the job seekers now is private sector which is showing its interest in this Union Territory also. However, getting jobs in this sector is also not so easy as being profit based units, companies also recruit meritorious candidates only in their units. In this backdrop, it is imperative for our youth to improve their talent for which we need competent teachers who can produce capable professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, businessmen and even politicians who could survive in this age of competition, which churns out quality.

I know, we have many competent teachers but that the number those teachers who could not even write a simple essay on cow when they were interviewed by the Honorable Court is not much less. So, imagine, how capable our future generations would be who are being taught by such teachers?

For pruning of my orchard and for doing annual repair of my house, I wait for months together to engage Kashmiri and Bihari workers because of their special expertize. In this backdrop how can it be expected that any private company or organization will engage incompetent local professionals to run their vast establishments? America and other developed countries of the world hire professionals from all over the world hiring their own clumsy and incompetent youth. At any stage, if these countries decide to say good bye to their foreign experts and engage their own incompetent staff it will definitely prove disastrous for their economy and development. So, before thinking of taking such a step a step the developed countries will have to create a work force of their own competent professionals otherwise what will happen to them could be anybody’s guess!

It is appreciable that the Union Government has amended some clauses of the Domicile Law which may provide a small time breather but the real key to success is competition and competence for which we will have to prepare our generations.*