Need to absorb Agniveers in govt jobs, says Kataria

A meeting of the State Sainik Board, Punjab, was held at Punjab Raj Bhavan today to review and strengthen various welfare measures for the families of martyrs, ex-servicemen, war widows and their dependents.

Addressing the gathering, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria underscored that the families of soldiers, who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, must always remain a priority in the state’s policies.

JM Balamurugan, Additional Chief Secretary, Defence Services Welfare (DSW), Punjab, initiated the proceedings by presenting a brief overview of the efforts being undertaken by the department. DSW Director Brig Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (retd) elaborated on the key initiatives of the department and the board for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their dependents.

Kataria stressed the need to urgently address the shortage of officers in the department to ensure that all welfare schemes and initiatives were effectively executed.

Kataria emphasised the need for special provisions to absorb Agniveers in government jobs while also ensuring that maximum employment opportunities were created for them in the private sector in Punjab. He stated that ex-servicemen possess valuable skills that should be utilised optimally across different government and private sectors, contributing to the state’s overall workforce.