PM Modi’s review meeting came two months after he had asked the secretaries of the central government to take immediate steps to fill up existing vacancies in the ministries and departments. The government’s decision comes amid the opposition’s frequent criticism of it on the issue of unemployment. A large number of vacant posts in different government sectors has often been flagged.The decision to fill up 10 lakh posts in the next 18 months means that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have something solid to counter the opposition’s criticism of its government on the issue of unemployment in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The country will be gearing up for the next general election, expected to be held in April-May in 2024, by the end of 18 months from now. Government sources said various departments and ministries were asked to prepare details of vacancies following Modi’s direction to this effect and the decision to recruit 10 lakh people was taken following an overall review.During various Assembly polls, opposition parties have tried to corner the BJP over the issue of unemployment, but the saffron party has been successful in neutralising the criticism with its planks of welfarism, development and Hindutva. It has also consistently refuted the opposition’s charge on unemployment, arguing that its various programmes have led to a rise in entrepreneurship and overall employment generation.
After the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday informed that the recruitment of 10 lakh people will be done by the Government in a mission mode in the next 1.5 years, several Cabinet Ministers hailed the decision.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur took to Twitter and wrote, “PM Narendra Modi ji has over the years made government more accountable and governance more people-centric, ensuring last-mile delivery. Enhancing the strength of the Government to meet the targets and opportunities towards the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is another major step.”
Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav tweeted, “India’s journey as a strong economy under PM Shri @narendramodi ji has made sure we stay the course on human-centred development. The hiring of 10 lakh people will not only help the govt meet targets but also strengthen the march towards a fully Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
