The job-seekers appearing in the second state-level job fair under the state government’s flagship scheme ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ (job for every household) are getting job offers far from their homeland.

Many companies participating in the job fair are from outside the state and having their expansion plans in Delhi, Bangalore, Noida, Gurugram and Uttar Pradesh including the southern part of the country.

Every day a large number of candidates are appearing while holding degrees and post-graduate diplomas from various districts at various venues. Interestingly, they have been offered an annual salary package ranging between Rs 1.20 Lakh and Rs 2.25 Lakh per annum.

In the second job fest, which took off on 18 February, 73,200 candidates were present against 45,747 jobs. As per the available information, 40 such events are being conducted at 56 venues as part of these fairs, being held in collaboration with Industries, Educational Institutes, Universities and Sector Skill Council.

“We have registered the maximum number of companies from the state with us. In case, the candidate having a different qualification such as civil, hospitality, tourism etc., their prospects are not better in the state as compared to other places. It is the choice of the candidate whether to opt for it or not,” said a senior officer requesting anonymity.

Many industrial units and companies in the field of hosiery and apparel manufacturing are active in the state, added the official.

Meanwhile, Amandeep Singh, a candidate appeared in the second level job fest in Hoshiarpur told The Statesman that he was offered a job in Lucknow by a private company. “I could not move there due to the low salary scale offered. I was expecting a job within the state. It is hard to believe why the companies having operations outside the state have been invited in the job fest,” he said.

On the other hand, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema accused the Congress-led state government for making fool of the youngsters.

“The ongoing job fest is mere an eyewash. The state government is betraying the people of Punjab while making false claims since it took over. The youngsters were promised to provide jobs within the state in the manifesto of Congress. It was also not clear that they will be provided government or private jobs,” he said.

The state government has signed 34 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for creating 2.63 lakh jobs under the ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ scheme. The second job fair will continue till 8 March.