Lagatar24 Desk
Chandigarh: On Wednesday, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced a series of benefits for Agniveers who complete their four-year tenure in the armed forces. These benefits include age relaxation in state public services recruitment, horizontal reservation, and subsidies for industrial units employing Agniveers, as reported by ANI.
Saini declared that Agniveers will receive a three-year relaxation in the maximum age limit for government posts in Groups B and C, with the first batch of Agniveers getting a five-year relaxation. This initiative targets various batches of Agniveers expected to finish their four-year service by August 2027.
Regarding horizontal reservation, Saini stated, “The government will provide a 5% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in direct recruitment to civil posts in Group C and a 1% horizontal reservation in Group B.” Additionally, there will be a 10% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in direct recruitment to positions such as Constable, Mining Guard, Forest Guard, Jail Warden, and Special Police Officer (SPO) by the state government.
To further incentivize private sector recruitment of Agniveers, the Haryana government will offer subsidies. Saini announced, “If an Agniveer is given a salary of more than Rs 30,000 per month by any industrial unit, our government will provide a subsidy of Rs 60,000 per annum to that unit.”
The Agniveer scheme, introduced in June 2022, recruits personnel below the rank of officers to the Indian armed forces for a short period of four years. After this tenure, up to 25% of recruits, known as Agniveers, may join the services on a permanent commission based on merit and other criteria. Besides their salary and allowances, Agniveers receive a lump sum severance package of approximately Rs 11.71 lakhs from Seva Nidhi, a government-contributed fund.
In the unfortunate event of death while on duty, an Agniveer’s family is entitled to a lump sum of one crore (including Seva Nidhi) and full pay for the remaining service period. For injuries, compensation can reach up to Rs 44 lakh, depending on the severity. However, Agniveers do not receive pensions post their short tenure.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the NDA government over the Agniveer scheme, alleging discrimination in benefits for families of deceased soldiers. He has consistently attacked the BJP regarding the scheme during election campaigns. Following the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha cabinet, NDA allies have suggested a review of the scheme.
