10% reservation for Agniveer, Modi government is preparing to counter the opposition’s narrative in this way

New Delhi : The Modi government is under attack from the opposition for the Agneepath scheme related to the recruitment of Agniveers in the three armies. After the setback to BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, its allies like JDU and LJP are also demanding a review of the Agneepath scheme. The Modi government, which has come on the back foot due to the attacks of the opposition and the pressure of the allies, has now prepared to counter this issue effectively. This is the reason why the Modi government is now vigorously promoting 10 percent reservation for former Agniveers in the recruitment of Central Armed Forces. Former Agniveers will not have to give the physical efficiency test and they will also get age relaxation. Although the announcement of giving preference to Agniveers in CAPF recruitments was made last year itself. The Union Home Ministry had then announced that former Agniveers would be given reservation in the Central Security Forces. But now the chiefs of BSF and CISF are going ahead and announcing it. Actually, the Modi government cannot take any more risk on the issue of Agneepath. Assembly elections of Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand are to be held in the next 2-3 months.

The issue of Agniveer became ‘Agnipath’ for BJP in Lok Sabha elections

During the Lok Sabha elections, the opposition, especially the Congress, raised the issue loudly and promised that if they came to power, they would end this scheme. Congress did not come to power to end the Agnipath scheme as promised, but even after the elections, it is aggressive against the government on this issue. Rahul Gandhi had recently raised the issue of compensation to be given to Agniveers after their death during duty. he/she had alleged that the Agniveers who sacrifice their lives while protecting the country during duty are not being compensated by the government. However, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and even the Army strongly rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations. BJP also accused Rahul Gandhi of lying on the issue of Agniveers and misleading the country. Even after this, there was no softening in the attitude of Rahul Gandhi and Congress. After the results of the Lok Sabha elections, the opposition is excited and the BJP is cautious. The issue of Agniveer was also considered to be a major reason behind the reduction in BJP’s seats compared to the last time in the Lok Sabha elections. After the electoral setback, it was believed that the Modi government would make changes in the Agnipath scheme but at the moment it does not seem so.

10 percent reservation, no physical test, age relaxation too

To blunt the opposition’s attacks and narrative on the Agniveer issue, the Modi government has played the card of reservation for former Agniveers in the Central Armed Forces. On Thursday, several central forces announced that they would give 10 percent reservation to former Agniveers in their recruitments.

CISF Director General Neena Singh and BSF Director General Nitin Agarwal on Thursday explained in detail the reservation plan for former Agniveers in recruitments. According to Singh, former Agniveers will get 10 percent reservation in all future recruitments for constable posts in CISF. he/she also informed that former Agniveers will also get exemption from physical test. Not only this, they will also get age relaxation. In the first year, they will get relaxation of up to 5 years in upper age while in subsequent years this relaxation will be 3 years.

Similarly, BSF DG Agarwal also said that 10 percent reservation will be given to former Agniveers. They will be appointed on the border. he/she said that this will also benefit the BSF as it will get already trained soldiers who will have 4 years of experience. he/she also confirmed that former Agniveers will also get relaxation in the upper age limit.

Similarly, CRPF DG Anish Dayal Singh also said on Thursday that necessary changes have been made in the rules to provide 10 percent reservation to former Agniveers in recruitment. Railway Protection Force DG Manoj Yadav also said that former Agniveers will be given 10 percent reservation, exemption from physical efficiency test and relaxation in upper age limit in RPF recruitments. Sashastra Seema Bal or SSB DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary has also announced 10 percent reservation for former Agniveers in the force’s recruitments.

What is Agnipath scheme

The Agnipath scheme was implemented in June 2022. Its objective is to reduce the average age of the three armies i.e. to make them young. Under this scheme, youth between 17 and a half years to 23 years will be recruited in the Army, Air Force and Navy. The soldiers recruited under this scheme have been named Agniveer. They will be recruited for 4 years. 25 percent of them are made permanent and the remaining 75 percent are released. Their salary is also less than that of regularly recruited soldiers.