Baripada: The ‘job fair’ organised in zero-industry Mayurbhanj district was far below from expectation.
Out of 2,747 job aspirants from Baripada and Kaptipada who had come to attend the job fair organised by 23 companies, only 881 aspirants were provided with job offers while the remaining 1235 candidates had to return disheartened as they were offered low-salaried jobs outside the state.
On the other hand, 631 aspirants have been selected for receiving training by 14 companies. These companies promised jobs to the selected candidates only if they have completed the training successfully.
However, the fair left many distressed and anger. Rakesh Behera, who had come to the fair with a lot of expectation, said the fair was nothing but a farce. I have lost my time coming to the fair as there is no job offer for higher educated aspirants, he alleged.
Echoing the similar feeling, a parent, Suraj Nayak, said he had come to the fair for his daughter. The companies were selecting candidates on their own wish, putting aside education and talents.
On the other hand district employment officer Bijay Kumar Patra expressed his happiness and said more number of aspirants than it was expected attended the fair.
However, the BJP and the JMM blamed the State government for the failure of the job fair.
State Jharkhand Mukti Morcha general secretary said that Mayurbhanj district has the high potential of setting up paper industry and tourism industry. But nothing has been done in this regard. And this apart, the government is showing little interest in reviving two closed industries. Had this been done, our youths could have employment in their district,” he alleged. BJP district president Krushnachandra Mohapatra seconded the JMM general secretary’s version.
The fair was inaugurated by zilla parishad chairperson Sujata Murmu in the presence of Collector Vineet Bhardwaj and other administrative officials.
PNN