Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made a major announcement regarding the welfare and future of Agniveers, stating that Uttarakhand will become the first state in the country to establish a dedicated ‘Agniveer Cell’ for retired Agniveers. The cell will facilitate their access to various state government welfare schemes and assist in their rehabilitation.
Addressing the ‘Yuva Agniveer Samvad’ programme held at the Youth Foundation Training Area in Kuwanwala on Friday, the Chief Minister said that ex-servicemen and Agniveers will receive special financial assistance under the Tourism Department’s Homestay Scheme. Special support will also be provided for developing essential infrastructure to promote self-employment opportunities in border villages.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is fully committed to securing a bright future for Agniveers. Those completing their service will receive 10 percent horizontal reservation in state government services, including the Police Department, Forest Department, and Disaster Management Department. They will also be given relaxation in the upper age limit and preference during recruitment processes.
He said that several important measures have also been taken for the welfare of soldiers and the families of martyrs. The ex gratia amount for the families of martyrs has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Provisions have also been made for the appointment of dependents in government service, extension of the application period from two years to five years, and financial assistance for the dignified last rites of war widows, disabled soldiers, and ex-servicemen.
The Chief Minister said that he himself is the son of a soldier and has witnessed the discipline, sacrifice, and spirit of national service among soldiers since childhood. He said that becoming an Agniveer is not merely a job but the highest opportunity to serve the nation, and that the four years spent in the armed forces would become the greatest asset of a young person’s life.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has implemented a transparent recruitment system and provided government jobs to more than 34,000 youths over the past five years. Following the implementation of the anti-cheating law, the recruitment process has become completely transparent, and more than 100 examination cheating racketeers have been sent to jail.
The programme was attended by Youth Foundation founder Colonel (Retd.) Ajay Kothiyal, MLA Brij Bhushan Gairola, Major General (Retd.) Gulab Singh Rawat, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan, SSP Pramendra Dobhal, along with a large number of Agniveers, ex-servicemen, and young participants.
