Lack of industries in Bihar push youth to vie for government jobs

Unemployed youth in Bihar prepare rigorously for government jobs due to high family pressure and lack of opportunities.

“Karo to sarkari naukari, nahi to becho tarkari” (You either work for the government, or you sell vegetables), says Ranjeet Kumar (28), an unemployed youth, who, along with two female companions, spend three hours at a community park in Rajendra Nagar in Patna every evening to prepare for government jobs.

“Here in the park, there is a peaceful atmosphere to hold group discussions, which help us prepare better for the job,” they echoed looking at the question bank for Bihar government’s Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exam.

Mr. Kumar had cracked the examination thrice but, somehow, couldn’t make it to the final list.

“Again I’m waiting for the final list, hoping to get through this time. Pressure from family to get a government job is so immense that for the last five years I’ve confined myself to a single room in Bahadurpur of Patna paying ₹6,000 as rent every month. He hails from Jhajha, some 300 km from Patna.

Asked why only a government job, Mr. Kumar sported a smile and responded quickly, “because there is nothing as permanent as a government job in the State and the country as well”.

Agreeing with him is Arpana Barnwal (26) who has come to Patna from Bokaro in the neighboring State of Jharkhand to prepare for a government job.

“Age is running out, not for job but for marriage”, she giggled and the “family pressure to get a job as early as possible is so intense that I came to Patna for better opportunities to prepare for government jobs and here, there is 33% reservation in jobs for women” she said.