In what is welcome news for lakhs of ex-servicemen, the government has removed a major hurdle to their post-retirement employment and allowed them to avail of the benefit of reservation in all civil jobs they apply.
Upon discharge from the armed forces, an ex-serviceman normally applies for more than one job. However, in case of joining any civil employment due to early declaration of results or selection, the ex-serviceman is not entitled to the benefit of reservation for any subsequent job.
The issue that the rules were affecting the chances of ex-servicemen in getting suitable employment was brought to the notice of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which held a consultation in the matter with the department of ex-servicemen in the defence ministry.
"It has now been decided that if an ex-serviceman applies for various vacancies before joining any civil employment, he can avail of the benefit of reservation as an ex-serviceman for any subsequent employment," said a DoPT order.
However, to avail of this benefit, an ex-serviceman, as soon as he joins any civil employment, should submit a declaration or undertaking with the employer concerned about the date-wise details of application for various vacancies for which he has applied before joining the initial civil employment, it said.
{{/usCountry}}However, to avail of this benefit, an ex-serviceman, as soon as he joins any civil employment, should submit a declaration or undertaking with the employer concerned about the date-wise details of application for various vacancies for which he has applied before joining the initial civil employment, it said.
{{/usCountry}}This benefit would be available only in respect of vacancies which are filled on direct recruitment and wherever reservation applies to ex-servicemen, DoPT said, amending the government's 24-year-old instructions in this regard.
There are about 20 lakh ex-servicemen, according to the defence ministry