Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized the opposition on Friday for allegedly misleading the public about the Agniveer scheme, emphasizing the importance of national security. He assured that his government would offer jobs to Agniveers in the police force and Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) on a “priority basis.”
In a post on X, CM Yogi stated, “When Agniveers return after their service, Uttar Pradesh government will provide these youth the facility of adjustment in Police Service, PAC on priority basis. A certain reservation facility will be provided for them in Uttar Pradesh Police.”
अग्निवीर जब अपनी सेवा के बाद वापस आएंगे, उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार पुलिस सेवा में, पीएसी में इन नौजवानों को प्राथमिकता के आधार पर समायोजन की सुविधा देगी।
उनके लिए एक निश्चित आरक्षण की सुविधा उत्तर प्रदेश पुलिस में उपलब्ध कराएंगे… pic.twitter.com/7T5VorcpVa
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 26, 2024
This announcement follows a similar move by the BJP-led Haryana government, which recently promised a 10% reservation for Agniveers in various direct recruitment positions, including constable and forest guard. Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand also revealed plans to provide job quotas for Agniveers.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav confirmed that his government would offer reservations for Agniveers in police and armed forces recruitment post-service, aligning with the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Yadav’s social media update.
आज कारगिल दिवस के अवसर पर हमारी सरकार ने निर्णय किया है कि यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी की मंशानुसार अग्निवीर जवानों को पुलिस एवं सशस्त्र बलों की भर्ती में आरक्षण दिया जाएगा। #KargilVijayDiwas#DrMohanYadav #CMMadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/HSrT2Qkyvg
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) July 26, 2024
Earlier in the day, Yadav paid tribute to Kargil war heroes at Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Madhya Pradesh now becomes the third BJP-led state to announce job reservations for Agniveers.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also pledged to introduce legislation to provide government service reservations for Agniveers. Additionally, Dhami announced an increase in aid for the families of martyrs from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, acknowledging the supreme sacrifice made by soldiers.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini had previously announced a similar reservation policy on July 17, including a three-year age waiver for Agniveers applying for Group B and C jobs in the state.
In a related development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the Agnipath scheme during his address at the Kargil Vijay Diwas Shradhanjali Samaroh in Drass. He criticized the opposition for politicizing national security issues and dismissed claims that the scheme was introduced to save pension costs. Modi emphasized that the Agnipath scheme aims to keep the armed forces youthful and fit for combat.
#WATCH | On the Agnipath scheme, PM Narendra Modi says, "I don't know what has happened to the thinking of some people. They are spreading the misconception that the government has come up with this scheme to save pension money… For today's recruits, the question of pension… pic.twitter.com/vnEWy2YhDC
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024
Opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, have countered Modi’s remarks, accusing him of “petty politics” and lying about the scheme’s origins. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji have called for a review of the Agniveer scheme, questioning its social security provisions. Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen also criticized the scheme, asserting that it undermines the traditional full-time nature of military service.