New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday approved a 10 per cent reservation in job vacancies for Agniveers meeting the requisite eligibility criteria in various arms under his ministry, as the government works overtime to make the new military recruitment scheme more viable for aspirants.
The decision by Singh includes reservations not just in jobs in the ministry of defence, but also the Indian coast guard and defence civilian posts, besides all the 16 defence public sector undertakings.
The defence ministry announced that this reservation would be in addition to existing reservation for ex-servicemen.
The decision came after Singh chaired a high level-meeting with the top brass of his ministry, including the three service chiefs, besides the defence secretary.
Necessary amendments to relevant recruitment rules will be undertaken to implement these provisions, the defence ministry said. It added that defence public sector undertakings will be advised to make similar amendments to their respective recruitment rules.
Necessary age relaxation provision will also be made, it said.
The announcement comes amid continued widespread protests against the Modi government’s announcement of the Agnipath scheme Tuesday, for recruitment of soldiers on a short-term contractual basis of four years. Soldiers recruited under this scheme will be called ‘Agniveers’.
Sources said more steps are being finalised in consultation with other ministries and state governments to ensure that the Agnipath scheme, which replaces the legacy recruitment model for the military, is viable and attractive.
Earlier Saturday, the home ministry had announced a 10 per cent reservation in vacancies for recruitment in the central armed police forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles for Agniveers.
The home ministry had added that it has also decided to give three years age relaxation, beyond the prescribed upper age limit, to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPF & Assam Rifles. Further, for the first batch of Agniveers, the age relaxation will be for five years beyond the prescribed upper age limit.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
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