The Union government has directed all states and Union territories to ensure that ex-Agniveers are given preference in hiring by private security agencies and training institutes, PTI reported.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the directive on September 11, as part of efforts to support the post-service career progression of Agniveers once they complete their tenure with the armed forces.

Agniveers are enlisted in the armed forces under the Agnipath short-term recruitment scheme. Under the scheme, citizens aged between 17-and-a-half and 21 years are eligible to apply for a four-year term in the military with a provision that 25% of them will be retained for 15 more years.

Those recruited under this scheme are called Agniveers.

The scheme was launched in June 2022 and the first batch of Agniveers are due to complete their term next year.

The home ministry asked the state-level authorities under the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act to “sensitise” top private security providers and encourage them to employ ex-Agniveers, Hindustan Times reported.

The ministry noted that the Police-II Division had been directed to work out a system ensuring that government departments, banks and other entities that outsource security services hire personnel from among former Agniveers.

The letter reminded the authorities that preference in employment should be given to individuals with prior experience in the armed forces, the police or home guards according to the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act.

“Agniveers have an experience of about four years in service,” PTI quoted the letter as saying. “Hence, they may be given preference by the private security agencies during engagement/employment of private security guards and supervisors.”

The directive has sparked criticism from the Congress, which accused the Union government of backtracking on its promise to provide stable and pensionable government employment to Agniveers, The Hindu reported.

Colonel (retired) Rohit Chaudhry, head of the Congress’ ex-servicemen department, said the move “deceived” soldiers who served under the Agnipath scheme.

“If the government cannot reward those who performed well during Operation Sindoor, it should not mislead them,” he said.

Chaudhry further questioned why trained soldiers were being sent to work for private agencies instead of being absorbed into government roles. “We cannot allow Agniveers to become a private army fighting wars at home or abroad,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.

📰 Crime Today News is proudly sponsored by DRYFRUIT & CO – A Brand by eFabby Global LLC

Design & Developed by Yes Mom Hosting