Nearly 40,000 graduates, 6,000 postgraduates applying for sweeper job highlights unemployment crisis in Haryana

The intense competition for government jobs in Haryana has worsened as 39,990 graduates and 6,112 postgraduates have applied for a contractual sweeper position through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRN), the state’s job outsourcing agency.

This influx of applicants is attributed to either the pursuit of a prestigious government job or the challenges posed by a dwindling job market.

Between Aug 6 and Sep 2, over one lakh people submitted applications via an online portal for this role.

The position involves sweeping and cleaning duties across various government departments, boards, corporations, and civic bodies, offering a monthly salary of ₹15,000.

Among the applicants are Manish Kumar, a postgraduate with a business studies diploma, and his wife Roopa, a qualified teacher.

They find government jobs appealing due to the higher salary compared to private sector roles, which typically offer around ₹10,000 a month.

Additionally, 1.2 lakh undergraduates, those with education up to Class XII, have also applied for these cleaning positions.

"Even in private schools or companies, we barely get ₹10,000 a month. Here there's a glimmer of hope for regular employment in the future. Plus, sweeping isn't a full-day job, so we can pursue other work during the day," said Manish.

Sumitra, a resident of Sukhpura Chowk in Rohtak, applied for this position after facing repeated setbacks in securing a government job through the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC). For her, this job is the final option

"This is the only job left that I could apply for with any hope of a positive response. My family has refused to fund further studies or coaching, so employment is my lone option now," said Sumitra.

Opposition parties have condemned the situation, using the high number of applications as proof of the BJP government's failure to tackle the unemployment crisis.

The Haryana Congress has highlighted this surge in applications to argue that the unemployment issue has deteriorated under the current administration.

Additionally, HKRN is facing criticism for perceived lack of transparency, insufficient pay, job insecurity, and the absence of reservations for different categories, further intensifying concerns about the recruitment process.