A 40-year-old man with polio and speech impairment from Kalaignar Nagar near Chettipalayam returned his identity card at the district employment exchange on Mettupalayam Road in the city on Wednesday. The reason for this he said was he had not got a government job despite registering at the employment exchange 23 years ago.
“Persons who registered after me got jobs,” said K. Gopal. After studying till Class 9, he enrolled in the employment exchange in June 1992. While he awaited a government job, he worked in a private company till 2000. Gopal then sold lottery tickets for a living, till it was banned by the Government in 2003.
“I did odd jobs for a living but the jobs did not last long as the owners either felt I would not be able to handle the work, or they gave me work beyond my ability,” he said.
The man lost his parents a few years ago and lived on platforms. Two years ago, the government gave him a free house. While he got a monthly dole of Rs. 1,000 from the government, he wanted to earn a descent living. “My dole will be cut when I get a government job. But I want a job,” he said.
About a month ago he petitioned the District Collector seeking a government job. “I was sent to an official of the employment exchange, who told me that I won’t get a job as I am 40 years old,” he said.
On Wednesday, officials at the employment exchange pacified him and have promised him a job as a sweeper.
