‘Interest-free loans, 10% quota in jobs,’ Haryana announces bonanza for Agniveers

The northern Indian state of Haryana on Wednesday (Jul 17) announced a bonanza for the candidates of 'Agnipath Yojana', a new human resource management scheme for Indian defence forces. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced a quota of 10 per cent in state government jobs for 'Agniveers', the candidates hired under the scheme. Additionally, the state will provide interest-free loans to Agniveers up to INR 500,000 ($5,984).

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi implemented the Agnipath scheme on June 14, 2022. Under this scheme, Agniveer is deployed in the Indian Army for 4 years. Our government will provide 10% horizontal reservation to Agniveers in Haryana in direct recruitment to the posts of Constable, Mining Guard, Forest Guard, Jail Warden and SPO recruited by the state government,” CM Nayab Singh Saini said.

The state government will also allow an age relaxation of three years in the prescribed age limit for Groups B and C government posts.

Moreover, a five per cent horizontal reservation will be given to Agniveers in direct recruitment to civil posts in Group C and a one per cent horizontal reservation in Group B.

“We will provide these Agniveers a relaxation of 3 years in the maximum age prescribed for government posts in Group B and C. In the case of the first batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be 5 years. The government will provide 5% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in direct recruitment to civil posts in Group C and 1% horizontal reservation in Group B. If Agniveer is given a salary of more than Rs 30,000 per month by any industrial unit, then our government will give a subsidy of Rs 60,000 per annum to that industrial unit…” Nayab Singh Saini said.

The controversial scheme was launched in 2022, aimed at hiring temporary recruits aged between 17-and-a-half and 21 years for the armed forces. The hiring under 'Agnipath Yojana' is done for a mere four years.

The scheme has been criticised heavily by opposition parties, especially because of the lack of consultation and public debate.

(With inputs from agencies)