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

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

During the Lok Sabha elections, the opposition, especially the Congress, had raised this issue loudly and promised that they would end this scheme if they came to power. Congress did not come to power to end the Agneepath 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 who lost their lives during duty. He had alleged that the Agniveers who sacrificed their lives while protecting the country during duty are not being compensated by the government. However, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and even the Army had outright rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations. The BJP also accused Rahul Gandhi of lying and misleading the country on the issue of Agniveers. 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 a major reason behind the reduction in BJP's seats in the Lok Sabha elections as compared to the last time. 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 rhetoric 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 scheme 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 also informed that former Agniveers will also get exemption from physical test. Not only this, they will also get relaxation in age limit. In the first year, they will get relaxation of up to 5 years in the maximum age limit while in subsequent years this relaxation will be of 3 years.

Similarly, BSF DG Agarwal also said that former Agniveers will be given 10 percent reservation. They will be deployed on the border. He said that this will also benefit the BSF as it will get already trained soldiers who will have 4 years of experience. He 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 from 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. Their recruitment will be for 4 years. 25 percent of them are made permanent and the remaining 75 percent are retired. Their salary is also less than that of regular recruited soldiers.