29 lady soldiers of the Vayu Agniveer of Indian Air Force (IAF) perform during the 25th anniversary celebrations of Kargil Vijay Diwas, at India Gate Complex, in New Delhi on Friday.
This is as six BJP-led states—Gujarat, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand that announced on July 26 that. Agniveers will get reservations in government jobs including police and other forces.
These announcements were made on the silver jubilee of India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war.
Bhupendra Patel of Gujarat Chief Minister said his Government would give priority to Agniveers in recruitment for armed police besides State Reserve Police Force (SRP). In addition Mohan Charan Majhi Chief Minister Odisha gave a ten per cent quota and five years’ relaxation in age for state’s uniformed services for Agniveers.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath maintained similarly that those who have joined U.P. Police or PAC from among the military personnel would be given weightage upon return home. Likewise Vishnu Deo Sai Chief Minister Chhattisgarh stated that among others. This state would provide reservations to Agniveers for recruitments into police constables and forest guards. To make it possible that every eligible person can join them easily these guidelines are being framed by the State government. Which shall ensure a fixed percentage reservation for them said he.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav also said that there would be reservation for Agniveer soldiers in recruitment into State police and armed forces. While Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami upheld reservation policy for Agniveers government jobs. He further increased the aid provided by ₹50 lakh instead of ₹10 lakh. Mr. Dhami has also announced to increase the amount given to the kin of deceased soldiers.
The Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force recruit soldiers under the Agnipath Scheme for a period of four years. As such, recruitable Agniveers are young people aged between 17.5 and 21 years and are enlisted for a block period of four years with an allowance to retain 25% of them for another fifteen years.
It was launched in 2022 but faced stiff resistance from some opposition parties as well as protests by several young aspirants in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
Opposition including Congress has been on government’s back over the scheme arguing about what will happen to 75% of Agniveers. Who will remain after their four-year tenure elapses. Kargil and during this year’s Lok Sabha election campaign, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had promised to do away with it totally.
