• Haryana announces 10% quota for Agniveers in police, forest and more

    National
    Haryana announces 10% quota for Agniveers in police, forest and more
    The Agnipath military recruitment scheme, introduced by the BJP government at the Centre in June 2022 for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces, has faced criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties. 

    Digital Desk: Months before the Assembly elections, the BJP-led government of Haryana announced on Wednesday a 10 percent reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of constables, forest guards, jail wardens, and other positions. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also unveiled additional benefits, including interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for Agniveers interested in starting their own businesses. Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, he detailed the government's initiatives.

    "In direct recruitment for positions such as constable, mining guard, forest guard, jail warden, and special police officer conducted by the state government, there will be a 10 percent horizontal reservation for Agniveers," he stated. Additionally, he mentioned that Group C and D posts would grant a three-year age relaxation, with the initial batch of Agniveers receiving a five-year age relaxation.

    Saini further explained, "For Group C civil posts, there will be a five percent horizontal reservation for Agniveers." He also announced incentives for industrial units employing Agniveers, stating, "If an industrial unit hires an Agniveer with a salary exceeding Rs 30,000 per month, our government will provide an annual subsidy of Rs 60,000 to that unit." Moreover, Agniveers will receive priority in obtaining arms licenses.

    The Agnipath military recruitment scheme, introduced by the BJP government at the Centre in June 2022 for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces, has faced criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties. During the recent Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had promised in Mahendragarh, Haryana, to scrap the Agniveer scheme if the opposition INDIA bloc came into power.

    Following the scheme's launch by the Centre in June 2022, the then-Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, had assured that the state government would guarantee employment to Agniveers after their four-year tenure in the armed forces. The Agnipath scheme allows for the recruitment of youths aged between 17 and a half to 21 years for a four-year term, with provisions to retain 25 percent of them for an additional 15 years.