Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh Join BJP-Ruled States Announcing Quota For Agniveers In State Forces

Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand announced reservations for Agniveers in their respective state recruitment processes, citing qualifications and commitment to national service.

File photo of Agniveers during their passing out parade at Gaur Drill Ground, BRC, Danapur in Patna

Source : PTI

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday declared reservations for Agniveers in their respective state recruitment processes.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on social media that Agniveers would be given preference in the recruitment of armed police and State Reserve Police (SRP). Patel criticised the opposition for spreading "misinformation" about the Agnipath scheme, stating, "The confusion spread by the opposition regarding the Agnipath scheme and Agniveers is not only absurd but also condemnable. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several reforms are being implemented in the Indian Army and internal security. The Agnipath scheme is one such initiative."

In a similar move, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a 10 per cent quota and a five-year age relaxation for Agniveers in the state's uniformed services. Before attending the NITI Aayog governing council meeting, Majhi remarked, "Our soldiers are our pride. Agniveers, who are trained by our defence forces, are qualified to serve the nation in various security-related sectors. The Agniveer scheme is a historic initiative launched by PM Narendra Modi, making our youth able and fearless to face various challenges in life", news agency PTI reported

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared on the 25th anniversary of India's Kargil victory that his government would provide reservations for Agniveers in police and armed forces recruitment. "As per the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MP government has decided to give reservation to Agniveers in police and armed forces," Yadav told reporters, as quoted by PTI. He added, "The Agniveer scheme is in the real sense an attempt to not only modernise the armed forces and recruit capable jawans but also to make it young at the global level."

Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also made an announcement in support of the Agniveer scheme. Speaking on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Dhami stated that Agniveers would be granted reservation in government jobs in Uttarakhand upon their return after serving in the armed forces.

Addressing a programme to honour the armed forces personnel who fought in the Kargil war, Dhami said, "We will make provisions and bring an Act to give reservation to them in government services. We are working on this plan. We will make use of their skills and discipline in various government departments."

Agniveers To Be Given Weightage In UP Police, PAC Force: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath voiced support for the Agniveer scheme, stating that returning Agniveers would be given weightage in the UP Police and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). "The country will get trained and disciplined young soldiers in the form of Agniveers," he noted. He emphasised the commitment of the UP government to provide facilities and weightage for these youth in the paramilitary and civil police sectors.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also announced that Agniveers would be given priority in the recruitment of police constables, forest guards, and jail guards. Speaking at the state assembly, Sai stated, "The state government will soon issue necessary guidelines to provide a fixed reservation to Agniveers", as quoted by PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently defended the Agnipath scheme, describing it as a necessary reform to maintain a youthful and fit profile for the armed forces. During his address on Kargil Vijay Diwas, Modi accused the opposition of politicising the recruitment process aimed at keeping the armed forces young.

The Agnipath scheme, introduced in 2022, recruits Agniveers between 17-and-a-half and 21 years of age for a four-year term, with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for an additional 15 years.