One Job Per Family: HD Kumaraswamy Proposes Cutting Govt Service Tenure
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy suggests reducing govt service tenure to 15 years to ensure every family gets at least one government job.
In a bold and unconventional move to tackle the rising tide of unemployment, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H. D. Kumaraswamy, has proposed a radical shift in the government employment model. The Minister suggested that reducing the service tenure of government employees could open the floodgates of opportunity, ensuring that at least one member of every family secures a government job.
A Radical Shift in Employment Tenure
Speaking during an open interaction with aspirants of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Kumaraswamy pointed out that the current system allows employees to remain in service for approximately 35 years. He questioned whether this long duration is the primary bottleneck preventing new candidates from entering the workforce.
"Think about this idea," Kumaraswamy urged the youth. "What if we reduce that period to 10, 15 or 20 years, with the objective of ensuring that every family gets at least one government job? This could help create opportunities for many more people."
Pension and Benefits Safeguarded
To address potential concerns regarding financial security, the Union Minister clarified that under this proposed model, employees who complete their shortened prescribed tenure would still be eligible for pensions and all other retirement benefits. He emphasized that this is not yet a policy but an idea intended for public discourse.
Kumaraswamy noted that unemployment is growing at an "alarming rate" and argued that the current system is failing to provide deserving candidates with adequate opportunities. He expressed his intention to explore the implementation of such a plan if given the opportunity in the future.
Slamming the KPSC: 'A Den of Corruption'
Beyond his proposal for tenure reform, the Union Minister launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). He alleged that the body, which is tasked with impartial recruitment, has instead become a "den of corruption."
Kumaraswamy highlighted several areas where he claimed irregularities have occurred, including:
- The recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers.
- Appointments within the veterinary department.
- The Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) selections.
He alleged that these processes have been marred by financial dealings, favouritism, and caste-based considerations rather than merit.
Aspirants Speak Out: The Struggle for Stability
The interaction provided a platform for unemployed candidates to voice their frustrations. Many aspirants described a cycle of uncertainty and systemic failure that has left them disillusioned.
The Plight of Rural Candidates
A candidate from North Karnataka detailed the hardships faced by students who migrate to Bengaluru to study. He lamented that notifications are often issued without sufficient preparation time, forcing students to live in difficult conditions and struggle with accommodation costs, only for the KPSC to "play with their future."
Administrative Chaos and Legal Hurdles
Other students highlighted the constant confusion surrounding eligibility criteria and exam schedules. One aspirant noted that just as they finish preparing for an exam, new documents are often uploaded to the website, or the process is halted by court interventions, leaving their hard work in limbo.
Candidates further questioned if moving recruitment to the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) would solve the problem, suggesting that a deep-rooted nexus between commission members, officials, and intermediaries is the real issue.
Regional Tensions and Unity
The session also touched upon regional sensitivities. A student from Yadgir expressed objection to a reported statement by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding people from North Karnataka settling permanently in Bengaluru. The student asserted that Karnataka is one state and Bengaluru belongs to all its citizens, regardless of their regional origin.