Haryana Government Approves 10% Job Quota For Agniveers

New Delhi: The Haryana government on Wednesday announced that Agniveers will now get 10% reservation in police recruitment and mining guard recruitment. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini while announcing said, “Agnipath scheme was implemented by PM Modi on 14th June 2022. Under this scheme, Agniveer is deployed in the Indian Army for 4 years. Our government will provide 10% horizontal reservation to Agniveers in Haryana in direct recruitment to the posts of Constable, Mining Guard, Forest Guard, Jail Warden and SPO recruited by the state government..."

Haryana Govt grands Agniveers 3-year age relaxation for group B & C posts

The Haryana government has committed to offering additional incentives, including a 3-year age relaxation in maximum age limits for government posts in Group B and C. 

For the initial batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be extended to 5 years.

5% horizontal reservation for Agniveers 

Furthermore, the government has pledged a 5% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in direct recruitment to civil posts in Group C and 1% in Group B. 

This move is set to significantly enhance opportunities for Agniveers seeking employment within various state government departments.

Industrial employment of Agniveers 

In another proactive measure, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini highlighted the government's support for industrial employment of Agniveers. Should any industrial unit employ an Agniveer with a salary exceeding Rs 30,000 per month, the government will extend a subsidy of Rs 60,000 annually to that unit. 

This initiative aims to encourage industrial participation in the employment and welfare of Agniveers, thereby fostering economic growth and inclusivity.

Agniveer scheme

The Agniveer scheme, launched in June 2022, aims to reduce the age profile of the armed forces. It allows the recruitment of youths aged 17-and-a-half to 21 for a four-year term, with a provision to retain 25% of them for an additional 15 years. 

Despite facing criticism from opposition parties, including concerns about the future of the 75% of Agniveers not retained, the scheme continues to progress with additional support from various government agencies.

10% of Constable posts reserved for ex-Agniveers in CAPF 

The move by the Haryana government comes days after the central government announced a significant decision to reserve 10% of constable posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for ex-Agniveers. 

"The Union Home Ministry has taken an important decision regarding the recruitment of ex-Agniveers. Accordingly, the CISF is also preparing the process of the recruitment of ex-Agniveers," stated Nina Singh, chief of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). 

She confirmed that 10% of jobs will be reserved for ex-Agniveers in all future appointments of constables.

Exemptions and relaxations

Singh elaborated on the additional benefits for ex-Agniveers during the recruitment process. "In physical tests, they will be given exemptions along with age relaxation. In the first year, the age relaxation is five years, and in the subsequent year, it will be three years," she told DD News. 

This approach is expected to provide significant advantages to ex-Agniveers, while also benefiting the CISF by recruiting trained and disciplined personnel.

Positive impact on security forces

BSF Director General Nitin Agarwal also emphasized the benefits of the policy for the Border Security Force (BSF) and other security forces.

"They got four years of experience. They are fully disciplined and trained personnel. This is very good for the BSF as we are getting trained soldiers. After short training, they will be deployed along the border," said Agarwal. He reiterated the plan to reserve 10% of vacancies for ex-Agniveers and provide similar age relaxations as outlined by the CISF.

Future steps

Both the CISF and BSF are looking forward to the integration of ex-Agniveers into their forces, acknowledging the value of their training and discipline. 

"We are waiting for them to be deployed after giving conversion training. 10% of the total vacancies will be reserved for them," Agarwal confirmed, noting the age relaxation benefits that will be extended to successive batches of ex-Agniveers.