'Youth Need Jobs, Not Doles': Ex-Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai Lashes Out At Karnataka Government Over Unemployment

Employment, specifically unemployment, is an issue that affects most nations, rich or poor, advanced or developing; only the magnitude of the problem changes.

Youth Unemployment Rises

As per a report, youth unemployment in urban India rose in the third quarter of FY25. The report claimed that youth employment rose to 16.1 per cent in the third quarter, compared to 15.9 per cent in the quarter before that.

Mohandas Pai On The Report

In this Karnataka, one of the leading industrial states in India, also saw its youth unemployment rise in Q3 to 13.1 per cent, from Q2's 12.7 per cent. This is below the national unemployment average.

Reacting to this, former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai took to X to express his dismay.

In his post, Pai said, "Youth unemployment in Urban Karnataka has increased in Oct-Dec 2024."

Furthermore, tagging the Karnataka government and the state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Pai said the following, "@CMofKarnataka pl focus on job creation, not freebies to all. Our Youth need jobs not doles. Invest in Bengaluru,Big and small towns,infra ⁦@siddaramaiah @lkatheeq."

It is to be noted, as per the report, Jammu Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Odisha observed high levels of youth unemployment. In addition, the report also claimed that Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab were the biggest contributor to this surge.

Netizen Reaction

Reacting to Mohandas Pai's thoughts, some X users said the following.

One X user said, "A lot of resumes are cooked with stuff folks have not done/written in a generic way. Unemployed youth also must keep an open mind to learning v/s rigidity on 'market price'. Companies may not keep them if they dont generate value. demand supply both need corrective actions."

Another X user countered Pai, and said, Isn’t it the same for PAN INDIA or is it just about Bangalore that we don’t need freebies of free grains to 80cr people? Do we need LADLI BEHNA? Hard work is going as subsidy..?"

"We need cities beyond BLR. Develop two cities in every district into the kind of powerhouse that is BLR," added another user.