Punjab poll 2022: Want jobs, not freebies, say young voters

Tribune News Service

GS Paul

Amritsar, January 14

Seeking job opportunities, transparent recruitment, better education facilities and start-up programmes, Punjab’s youth is unimpressed with freebies. For a more secure future, it is looking beyond the traditional parties such as the Congress, SAD and BJP. Importantly, those in the 18-35 age group constitutes nearly 55 per cent of the Punjab electorate.

‘Jumlas’ won’t work

Political ‘jumlas’ will not work. A new party should be given a chance. Successive governments collected crores of rupees from those taking exams for various posts, but results were never declared. — Gurpal Singh, MSC(IT) Student at GNDU

Will buy own laptops

Instead of creating jobs, government announced English language programmes to help youth move abroad…. We don’t want freebies. We will buy our own scooters and laptops. The one-time cash award for girls is laughable. — Tamanna, A Postgraduate Student

Talking with The Tribune, Gurpal Singh, an MSc (IT) student at GNDU, said ‘political jumlas’ would not work and that a new party should be given a chance. “Successive governments collected crores by charging between Rs 1500-Rs 3000 from those appearing for exams for various government posts but the results were never declared,” he said. Research scholar Jatinder Vir Singh (29) mentioned Delhi Government’s “success in raising world-class education and health infrastructure.”

Many students said they would wait for the parties to release their manifestos and then make up their minds.

Tamanna (23), a postgraduate student, pointed out that the government, instead of creating job opportunities in the state, had announced English language programmes like IELTS and TOEFL to help the youth to move abroad. “We don’t want freebies. We will buy our own scooters and laptops. The one-time cash award for girls is hilarious,” she remarked.

University’s assistant placement officer Dr Amit Chopra said initially, there had been a dip in placements due to Covid-19, “but the situation is now improving. The number of companies coming to us for placements has increased. There is job market in IT, life sciences and the education sector. Students are getting good offers.”

Foreign Languages Department student Ravinder Kaur (26) said she would exercise the NOTA (none of the above) option. “Except for engineering, placement in other departments is likely to be the last priority of political parties. This time, NOTA will definitely be my choice,” she stressed

First-time voter Harnoor Singh Sandhu (19), pursuing BA (Hons) in Social Sciences, is a national-level gold medallist in junior athletics. “I will pick a young contestant, irrespective of the party. We lack in sports infrastructure. Despite the efforts by cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, nothing much has happened on the ground,” he maintained.

MTech student Aditya Takiar (23) said due to lack of job opportunities, students had no choice but to move out of the state or country. “Unfortunately, Punjab lags behind in industry. I believe there should be the same party at the Centre and in the state for better growth,” he added.

Leaderspeak

Not in favour of declaring CM face

There should be no chief ministerial face. The Assembly elections should be fought as a team. No single leader can be a superhuman. All candidates should be held accountable. — Pargat Singh, Congress

Channi has earned people’s goodwill

Charanjit Singh Channi as CM has earned goodwill among masses. The work done by him in a short span of time has touched people, especially villagers, and turned the tide in favour of the Congress. — Madan Lal Jalalpur, Congress

Will reshape schools as in delhi

AAP will bring about a change in Punjab. It will improve the condition of government schools in the state like it did in Delhi. We will create more employment opportunities for youth. — Arvind kejriwal, AAP

Poll Nuggets

15 code violation plaints disposed of

Barnala: The district administration has received 15 complaints against politicians over violation of the election code. “Since the imposition of the model code, we have received 15 complaints over violation of election norms. Our officers disposed of all complaints within 100 minutes,” said Varjeet Walia, Additional District Election Officer, Barnala. TNS

SAD(S): Free Sikhs languishing in jails

Chandigarh: A delegation of the SAD (Sanyukt), led by party chief Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the issue of imprisoned Sikhs who have completed their sentences. “The party has handed over a list of 20 prisoners to the Home Minister, who has assured of providing all possible help on the matter,” the SAD(S) said. TNS

Plaint against Warring for flouting norms

Muktsar: SAD's Gidderbaha candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon has complained to the Election Commission seeking action against Transport Minister Amrinder Singh Raja Warring for holding public meetings in villages on Friday despite having tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. “I tested negative in the rapid test on Sunday and positive in RT-PCR. Since I had no symptom, I stepped out today,” said Warring. TNS

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