Hyderabad: The issue of filling up of vacancies in government establishments generated heat between Opposition Congress, TDP members and the ruling ministers in Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday.

Replying to a query during Question Hour, Finance Minister E Rajender said 56,150 direct recruitment vacancies are reported to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government. The government has issued orders for filling up 18,423 direct recruitment vacancies, out of which notifications for 14,789 vacancies have so far been issued, he said. The government would notify vacancies from time to time based on requirement of man power and also keeping in view the overall financial implications on the exchequer, he said.

Speaking on the issue, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) member R Krishnaiah said unemployed youth are fighting for jobs and the government should issue notification for teachers' recruitment through District Selection Committee (DSC) process. The finance minister said the government embarked on recruitment exercise soon after it assumed office and that jobs in state-run entities like Road Transport Corporation (RTC) and Singareni Collieries are also being filled up. The government does not factor in expenditure in providing jobs to the youth. Massive job creation is done by way of promotions and also in the private sector, he said.

Heating up the debate, Congress member Sampath Kumar said youth, who played a key role in formation of separate state, are now eagerly waiting for jobs, while Krishnaiah said no clear answer has come with regard to teachers' recruitment. Noting that the government is ready for a thorough debate on the issue, Legislative Affairs Minister T Harish Rao said opposition members should raise the issue under a different rule.

Congress MLA and PCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the finance minister had earlier put the total number of jobs at more than a lakh but gave the figure as 56,000 now. It amounted to breach of privilege, Reddy said, adding that notifications have been issued for filling up only 14,000 posts. He alleged that the government is cheating the unemployed youth.

Rajender took exception to the remarks and said the previous governments in undivided AP (of Congress) did not take up recruitment for long.

PTI