The Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Punjab with an overwhelming mandate. The promise was of change, employment, transparency and a better future for the state’s youth. But today, thousands of young Punjabis are asking a basic question: Where are the jobs and opportunities that were promised to them?
AAP leaders should answer a very simple question: During AAP’s years in power in Delhi, how many young men and women from Punjab were employed in Delhi? If the party claims that its Delhi model created employment opportunities, it should present the full figures to the public.
The second question is equally important: How many businesses, industries, investment projects or commercial opportunities were facilitated by the then Delhi AAP government for people from Punjab? How many Punjabi entrepreneurs benefited from government schemes, investment support, contracts or other opportunities that could create employment?Now compare that record with the situation in Punjab.
Young people in Punjab are still preparing for competitive examinations, submitting applications, appearing in interviews and waiting for recruitment processes. Many educated youth spend years looking for employment while their families continue to bear the financial burden.
The Punjab government therefore owes the public a transparent account of recruitment since 2022. How many government jobs were advertised? How many were actually filled? How many posts remain vacant? How many recruitment processes were delayed or cancelled?
Another serious question concerns the perception that people from outside Punjab are receiving appointments while qualified young Punjabis struggle to find opportunities. This issue should not be dealt with through political slogans. The government should publish department-wise recruitment figures and clearly explain the domicile and eligibility rules applicable to each major recruitment.
This is not about opposing people from other states. Every Indian citizen has rights under the law. The question is whether Punjab’s government is giving adequate attention to the employment crisis facing Punjab’s own youth and whether recruitment is being conducted transparently, lawfully and on merit.
Punjab has been governed by different political parties over the decades, including Congress and the Akali Dal, and every previous government has faced criticism. But AAP came to power promising a different model of governance. That promise gives the present government an even greater responsibility to provide facts and figures.
The people of Punjab did not vote merely for a political party. They voted with expectations for jobs, investment, education, industry and a secure future for their children.If the government believes that Punjab’s youth are receiving sufficient employment opportunities, let it publish the figures.If recruitment rules permit candidates from across India for particular posts, let the government explain those rules clearly.
If Punjab youth are receiving the majority of opportunities in state recruitment, let the government demonstrate it with official data.Punjab does not need more slogans about employment. Punjab needs a transparent employment record.The AAP government should come forward with a comprehensive Punjab Employment White Paper covering the period since 2022.The youth of Punjab are not asking for favours. They are asking for opportunity, transparency and a fair chance.