Following the protests across India ever since the government announced the Agnipath “Tour Of Duty” Scheme, the Centre has come up with amends to the original plan. First, late on Thursday, a “one-time consideration” was doled out to raise the upper age limit to 23 from the earlier proposed 21. Then, on Saturday, BJP-ruled states and Union ministries announced preferences for Agniveers to assure the youth about their future.
Among them are:
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Ministry has announced a reserve of 10 per cent vacancies for recruitment in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles for Agniveers. The MHA also decided to give a relaxation of three years’ age beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for the recruitment in paramilitary forces. For the first batch of Agniveers, the age relaxation will be for five years beyond the prescribed upper age limit.
Ministry of Defence: Defence Ministry has reserved 10 per cent of the jobs for Agniveers in various organisations under it. The reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and the defence civilian posts, and all the 16 defence public sector undertakings (DPSU).
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it is planning to employ Agniveers for air traffic services, aircraft technician services, maintenance and overhaul of aircraft, meteorological and air accident investigation services etc.
Housing & Petroleum ministries: The PSUs (public sector undertakings) under Housing and Petroleum ministries said they are working on hiring ‘Agniveers’ after their four-year service. “This is a great scheme. I can say this on record that many PSUs under my ministries are already working on (hiring) trained manpower (Agniveers)… their skills can be utilised in PSUs,” Union Minister Hardeep Puri said at an event.
Ministry of Shipping: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) announced six service avenues for smooth transition of Agniveers in various roles of the Merchant navy, post their stint with the Indian Navy. The scheme will enable Agniveers to acquire necessary training, with naval experience and professional certification to join the remunerative merchant navy across the world.
Meanwhile, the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Manipur And Uttarakhand unilaterally declared that preference will be given to Agniveers in state police recruitment services in the state.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma added that every Agniveer who is a permanent resident of the state will be directly absorbed in the state police force at the end of their four-year term. The Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu said that people who plan to start their own enterprise will be given preference under all the available subsidy schemes of the state.
Also Read: Agni Pariksha: 1 Dead, 12 Trains Burnt, India On The Boil
