Haryana announces 10% reservation for Agniveers in police, forest guard jobs

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says in direct recruitment to posts of constable, mining guard, forest guard, jail warden and special police officer made by state govt, there will be 10% per cent horizontal reservation for Agniveers

Haryana chief minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday announced a slew of steps to give regular employment to Agniveers in different departments of the state government, in a move that is aimed at rehabilitating Agniveers and addressing their mounting post-service career concerns.

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini announced a slew of measures in Chandigarh on Wednesday aimed at integrating Agniveers into state government services and facilitating their post-service careers. (HT file photo)

The Union government launched the Agnipath scheme on June 14, 2022, and it has been drawing flak from the Opposition as Agniveers remain in service for four years. The contractual nature of employment of this scheme was one of the hot-button issues during the recently held parliamentary elections.

Addressing a press conference, the CM accused the Congress of spreading misinformation regarding this scheme of the Centre. He said the state government has taken a range of initiatives designed to provide meaningful opportunities for Agniveers.

One of the key measures is a 10% horizontal reservation in government recruitment to posts of constable, mining guard, forest guard, jail warden and special police officer (SPO).

The government will offer a three-year relaxation in the upper age limit for group-B and C posts. For those recruited in the first batch of the Agnipath scheme, this age relaxation will be extended up to five years, providing additional flexibility and opportunities.

Agniveers will be eligible for a 5% horizontal reservation in civil group-C posts and a 1% reservation in group-B, ensuring broader employment prospects across sectors.

The CM said the arms licences will be issued on priority to Agniveers, while the government has decided to introduce a scheme to provide an interest-free loan of ₹5 lakh to any Agniveer wishing to start a business.

This financial support is aimed at empowering Agniveers to become self-reliant.

“The state government has decided that if any industrial unit provides a monthly salary of more than ₹30,000 to an Agniveer, the state government will offer an annual subsidy of ₹60,000 to that industrial unit,” Saini added.

Agniveers seeking employment in government departments, boards and corporations will be given priority in the matrix score, he said.