New Delhi: Amid the continuing nation-wide protests over Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme, a short-term recruitment program in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday moved a step further in soothing the nerves of young protesters and announced 10% reservation for ‘Agniveers’ in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles.
Moreover, the MHA also announced 3 years age relaxation for the recruitment of ‘Agniveers’ in the CAPFs and Assam Rifles. The first batch, that will be selected in 2022, will get a relaxation of 5 years beyond the proscribed upper age limit.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decides to reserve 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles for Agniveers,” Amit Shah tweeted today.
The announcement comes in wake of raging protests across the country after Centre announced roll out of Agnipath scheme on Tuesday.
The Centre has tried to allay concerns of agitators over the contentious clause of 4 year compulsory retirement period. It said that though only 25% of ‘Agniveers’ will be retained in the Armed Forces, rest of the 75% will be aided and given preferential treatment in various government recruitments. They will also be an asset for the private sector, as they will have all the pre-requisites for a disciplined worker, it argued.
The government also effected a two years age relaxation for the first batch of ‘Agniveers’ to be shortlisted, starting in just a few days from now.
The violent protests over the recruitment of ‘Agniveers’ for 4-year period continued in various parts for the third consecutive day. Buses were set ablaze at couple of place in Bihar & UP while Haryana has restricted internet services to avoid spread of misapprehensions of the scheme.
Agnipath scheme that kicked up storm
The Centre on June 14 announced ‘Agnipath’ short-term recruitment scheme for the armed forces. Seen as bold reform, it was to address the rising age profile of soldiers and would also have pared the financial burden on Armed Forces Budget.
As per the scheme, the youth aged 17.5 to 21 would be inducted into any of 3 services of the Army as “Agniveers” for a period of four years.
However, in spite of getting warm welcome, the scheme met with huge uproar. Thousands of youth took to streets and demanded complete rollback.
