A 10 per cent reservation has been earmarked in police and mining guard jobs for Agniveers, announced Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday, amid an escalating row over the Agnipath scheme between the Centre and the Opposition.
The decision comes months before the state goes to polls.
Launched in 2022, Agnipath scheme provides for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces. Those in the 17.5-21 years age group are inducted for a four-year period. There is a provision to retain 25 per cent of these recruits for 15 more years. The remaining will be given a financial package as their service comes to an end. Those recruited under the scheme are called Agniveers.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress is spreading propaganda regarding the scheme, adding this is a very good plan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it leads to skilled youth.
Mr Saini said that in Group C and D posts, an age relaxation of three years will also be made.
"However, in the first batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be five years," Mr Saini said.
If a private company pays a salary of Rs 30,000 to an Agniveer, then the government will give an annual subsidy of Rs 60,000 to that company, the Chief Minister said.
Various central government agencies and departments have already announced plans to recruit former Agniveers.