The Delhi government’s “mega job fairs” have seen fewer participating companies and candidates due to the effect of demonetisation, Labour Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday.

The Minister also said that various departments of the Delhi government were severely understaffed and running with just 20-30% of their total sanctioned strength as no new recruitments were taking place because the State did not have powers to decide on matters of ‘services’.

Subject of services

“We will carry out a massive recruitment drive once the subject of ‘services’ is restored to us. It is common knowledge that the Delhi government cannot even appoint a peon on its own, if required,” Mr. Rai told reporters.

Jurisdiction over ‘services’, that is whether the subject lies within the ambit of the elected government or with the office of the Lieutenant-Governor, is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court. Currently, the L-G exercises authority over the subject.

Mr. Rai said the Centre needed to take steps to provide jobs in both the public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, a two-day mega job fair organised by the government concluded at Thyagaraj Stadium on Tuesday. The fair was attended by 79 companies, which screened 14,000 candidates — out of whom 5,000 were shortlisted for recruitment, said the Minister.

The first mega job fair was organised in 2015 in which 100 companies participated and shortlisted 12,000 candidates. In 2017, the number of participating companies came to 92, which shortlisted 9,000 candidates.

Last year, the job fair was attended by 89 companies and 6,000 candidates were shortlisted, said Mr. Rai, attributing the gradual dip to the after-effects of demonetisation.

“This drop in numbers is because of demonetisation, which has destroyed businesses. The Modi government should take steps to provide jobs to the youth because its getting known as a job-snatcher government,” he said.

Minimum wage

Mr. Rai said that firms hiring candidates for placement in Delhi would need to pay minimum wages.

The Minimum Wages Advisory Board of the government is examining suggestions with regard to revised minimum wages prescribed by a committee, he said.

The next meeting of the Board is on January 28, following which the Delhi government will file its reply in the Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition challenging the revision, said Mr. Rai.