In a move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Haryana government has unveiled a series of benefits for Agniveers, in a bid to garner support and highlight their commitment to the scheme. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the following measures on Wednesday:
Key Announcements:
- Reservation for Agniveers:
- 10% Reservation: For constable, forest guard, jail warden, and special police officer positions.
- 5% Reservation: For direct recruitment to civil posts in Group C.
- 1% Reservation: For direct recruitment to civil posts in Group B.
- Age Relaxation:
- 3-Year Relaxation: For civil posts in Group B and Group C.
- 5-Year Relaxation: For the first batch of Agniveers.
- Financial Incentives:
- Subsidy for Industrial Units: Rs 60,000 annual subsidy for units employing Agniveers at a salary of over Rs 30,000 per month.
- Interest-Free Loans: No interest on loans up to Rs 5 lakh for starting a business.
- Priority Measures:
- Arms Licenses: Priority issuance of arms licenses for Agniveers.
- Employment Priority: Priority in matrix scores for Agniveers seeking employment in government departments, boards, or corporations.
Additional Context:
- Agnipath Scheme: Introduced by the BJP government in June 2022, the Agnipath scheme recruits youths aged 17.5 to 21 for four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them for an additional 15 years.
- Political Reactions: The scheme has faced criticism from opposition parties, including Congress. Rahul Gandhi had stated that the scheme would be scrapped if the opposition INDIA bloc came to power.
Previous Commitment:
- Manohar Lal Khattar’s Promise: Shortly after the scheme was announced, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had promised guaranteed employment for Agniveers after their four-year service.
These announcements are part of the BJP’s strategy to support Agniveers and address criticisms of the Agnipath scheme, reflecting their broader electoral strategy in Haryana.
