No knowledge goes waste, goes the maxim. But it doesn’t hold true for many highly qualified young men and women of Delhi who are still awaiting the arrival of ‘acche din’. Despite being armed with MBA and Engineering degrees, MAs and BAs in an eclectic range of subjects, innumerable young people who join the Delhi Police remain at bottom of the rung as mere constables and drivers because of promotion delay and red-tape regulations. It doesn’t matter that they speak impeccable English, are good at interpersonal communication, or possess far greater academic knowledge than most of their counterparts in higher-ranking positions.
Students after completing post-graduate degrees in Business Management, Computer Application, Arts and Science, and bachelor degrees in Engineering, Law, Computer Application and Arts are joining the force as constables and drivers. In the case of new drivers in Delhi Police, which requires only matriculation as a minimum qualification, 40 per cent of those selected are post-graduates and graduates. Similarly, 67 per cent of the newly recruited head constables are post-graduates and graduates. And 58.40 per cent of Delhi’s unemployed youth have attended higher secondary school and above.
Both senior officers and youngsters in the Delhi Police attribute this phenomenon to job insecurity in the private sector and rising unemployment rates in Delhi and neighbouring states. As per the Report on Employment & Unemployment situation in Delhi between 2010 and 2012 prepared by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics of the Delhi Government, of every 1,000 graduates in Delhi, 93 are unemployed. The unemployment rate in urban areas of Delhi is 40 per 1,000 persons compared to 34 per 1,000 in urban areas at the national level. In both urban and rural areas in Delhi, the unemployment rate is 45 per 1,000 persons. The report states that between 2009 and 2010, it was 32 per 1,000 persons. Hence it’s not surprising that they are willing to settle for any employment, especially if it is in the government.
The story of Constable Adesh Nagar posted in East Delhi reflects the frustrations of many highly qualified youngsters. After completing his law degree, he started looking for employment. When he could not get a good job that matched his qualifications, his
parents and family members convinced him to apply for the post of a police constable. He, however, still aspires to become a lawyer later in his life. “After doing law, I thought of joining some private firm. However, the salary was not even `10,000,” said Nagar, adding that he is preparing for civil services.
Constable Sunil Kumar after doing his BCA decided to join Dthe elhi Police since he was unable to get a good job. In 2013 and 2014, 2,803 constables joined the force, of which 14 had completed their master’s in Business Management, 32 were MAs, 16 held engineering degrees, 40 were graduates in Computer Application, 35 were Bachelors in Business Administration, 32 were Bachelors in Education and 980 were graduates in Science, Arts and Commerce. Of the 537 Head Constables, who joined the force in last two years, 363 are post-graduates, graduates, MBAs and MCAs. The educational qualifications of those who got jobs as drivers in the capital’s police force are even more shocking.