Over 1.6 Million Jobless Youth – A Silent Emergency
Chhattisgarh is facing a massive unemployment crisis. According to official records, over 16.24 lakh (1.6 million) educated young people are unemployed. However, the government doesn’t have clear data on how many have secured government jobs in the last 18 months.
Earlier this year, while the state celebrated the much-publicized ‘Sushasan Tihar’ (Good Governance Festival), 4,373 job seekers submitted formal requests asking for employment. For many, this irony was hard to ignore.
Satish’s Story: A Teacher Without a Classroom
In Durg, one of the districts hit hardest by joblessness, lives Satish Nishad. Since 2015, he’s been preparing to become a government school teacher.
“My mother passed away, and my father is retired. I study every day at the local library — it’s my only classroom now,” says Satish.
The 2023 BJP election manifesto promised 57,000 new teacher jobs. That number has now been reduced to 22,464, and not a single teacher has been recruited in the last two years.
Manju’s Struggle: Marriage Pressure Vs Career Dreams
In Janjgir, another young aspirant, Manju Thakre, faces a different battle.
“My family says it’s time to marry. But I want to be independent first,” she says. Like many young women, she’s caught between traditional expectations and a collapsing job market.
No Government Jobs, Few Private Ones – And Poor Pay
From January 2024 to June 2025, zero appointments have been made in government roles.
Private agencies managed to place 6,279 candidates in 2024, and only 883 so far in 2025. However, details of these jobs — like salary, job type, or long-term security — have not been made public.
The question remains: Do these jobs offer dignity or just tick a box on paper?
Hindi-Medium Students Left Behind
Sulochani Kumbhkar, another teaching aspirant, voices a growing concern:
“We studied in Hindi medium. Private schools don’t consider us. If we can’t get government jobs, where else can we go?”
This reflects a larger issue — the discrimination against regional language students in both public and private sectors.
Districts With Highest Jobless Rates
Three districts top the unemployment list:
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Durg: 1.13 lakh unemployed
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Bilaspur: 1.05 lakh
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Janjgir-Champa: 1 lakh
These are not just statistics — they represent an entire generation waiting for opportunities that may never come.
Political Response: More Words, No Action
Congress MLA Sheshraj Harwansh criticized the ruling government, saying:
“They say they care about youth and women. But when asked about job data in the Assembly, they have no answers. Just empty slogans.”
When Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma was asked the same question by NDTV, he brushed it off, saying, “Ask me later.”
This lack of accountability has only deepened public frustration.
Youth Forced to Migrate – Even Into Dangerous Conditions
With no jobs in their home state, many young people are migrating to cities for work — often low-paying, unsafe, or exploitative jobs.
In December 2024, over 40 tribal youth from Dantewada returned from Hyderabad factories suffering from severe illnesses. Some even died. Their search for employment ended in tragedy.
Conclusion: A Generation in Crisis
Chhattisgarh’s unemployment isn’t just about numbers — it’s about lost time, crushed hopes, and neglected potential. As educated youth wait for promises to be fulfilled, the silence from those in power speaks louder than their slogans.
