Haryana likely to give job quota to Agniveers

Geetanjali Gayatri

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Chandigarh, July 11

To stem criticism around the Agnipath scheme and woo the state’s sizeable population associated with defence services, the Haryana Government is contemplating reservation in government jobs for Agniveers on the completion of their four-year service.

Sources said the reservation, which was under active consideration of the government, could be tabled at a meeting of the Cabinet to be chaired by CM Nayab Singh Saini on Friday.

According to information, the government is considering granting horizontal reservation to the Agniveers across Groups A, B, C and D. This means that the Agniveers will be adjusted within the existing quotas for various categories, although they will be given reservation under a separate head in the different groups on the basis of their qualifications. The sources said just like a separate head was listed out for freedom fighters or ex-servicemen, the Agniveers would have reservation under a new head.

The government has taken a cue from the 10 per cent reservation for the Agniveers in the posts of Coast Guard and all civil posts under the Ministry of Defence and its constituent units. Though the quantum of reservation to be given to Agniveers is not yet known, the sources claimed it could be on the lines of the Centre’s reservation.

This assumes significance in view of the fact that Haryana goes to the polls in October this year. The armed forces have lost a bit of sheen for the state’s youth, given the Agnipath scheme’s limited term. The sources also said the date for the monsoon session was likely to be finalised during the Cabinet meeting. The last session of the present Vidhan Sabha session is likely to be held in mid-August.