Srinagar, Oct 7 (KNS) : Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi today questioned the implementation of the National Conference’s 2024 manifesto commitment to waive application fees for job aspirants applying through recruitment agencies such as JKSSB and JKPSC.

The NC had promised that its government would “waive off all application fees for job aspirants” applying to JKSSB, JKPSC and other recruitment institutions in J&K.

However, government figures show that JKSSB and JKPSC collected approximately ?113.93 crore in examination/application fees during 2023-24 to 2025-26, against 15,964 advertised posts and more than 21 lakh applications.

AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the figures raise a straightforward question: What happened to the promise of zero application fees?

“Unemployed youth were promised relief from application charges, but instead crores have been collected from the same aspirants. For a young person struggling to find employment, repeatedly paying application and examination fees for uncertain and often delayed recruitment processes is a real financial burden,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

AIP said the government should provide a year-wise, agency-wise account of the fees collected, along with a clear explanation of why the manifesto commitment has not been implemented.

“Manifesto promises are not merely election-time statements. If the government made a commitment to unemployed youth, it must explain when and how that commitment will be fulfilled. At the very least, application fees should be waived for economically vulnerable and unemployed candidates, and recruitment examinations should be conducted strictly within announced timelines,” Inam Un Nabi said.

Inam Un Nabi also demanded publication of the status of all pending recruitments, examinations and appointments so that candidates are not left paying repeatedly while waiting indefinitely for government jobs.(KNS)