A 10 per cent reservation has been earmarked in police and mining guard jobs for Agniveers, announced Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday, amid an escalating row over the Agnipath scheme between the Centre and the Opposition.  

The decision comes months before the state goes to polls. 

Launched in 2022, Agnipath scheme provides for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces. Those in the 17.5-21 years age group are inducted for a four-year period. There is a provision to retain 25 per cent of these recruits for 15 more years. The remaining will be given a financial package as their service comes to an end. Those recruited under the scheme are called Agniveers.

The Chief Minister said that the Congress is spreading propaganda regarding the scheme, adding this is a very good plan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it leads to skilled youth.

Mr Saini said that in Group C and D posts, an age relaxation of three years will also be made.

“However, in the first batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be five years,” Mr Saini said.  

If a private company pays a salary of Rs 30,000 to an Agniveer, then the government will give an annual subsidy of Rs 60,000 to that company, the Chief Minister said.

Reacting to the clarification issued by the Indian Army on the emoluments to Agniveer Ajay Kumar, Defence Minister RajnathSingh said that the “Indian Army is committed to the welfare of Agniveers.”

Taking to X, the defence minister wrote, “Indian Army is committed to the welfare of Agniveers!”

Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) posted a ‘clarification on emoluments to Agniveer Ajay Kumar’ on Wednesday and said certain posts on social media have brought out that compensation hasn’t been paid to the next of kin of the Agniveer.

“Certain posts on Social Media have brought out that compensation hasn’t been paid to the next of Kin of Agniveer Ajay Kumar who lost his life in the line of duty. “It is emphasised that the Indian Army salutes the supreme sacrifice made by Agniveer Ajay Kumar. The last rites were carried out with full Military Honours. Of the total amount due, family of Agniveer Ajay has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakhs,” ADGPI said in a post on X.

“Ex – Gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately 67 lakhs, as applicable according to the provisions of the Agniveer Scheme, will be paid on Final Account Settlement shortly post-due police verification. The total amount will be Rs 1.65 Cr approximately. It is re-emphasised that emoluments due to a fallen hero are paid expeditiously to the Next of Kin of departed soldiers, including Agniveers,” it added.

Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Defence Minister RajnathSingh of “lying” on the floor of the Lok Sabha over the Agniveer scheme and demanded an apology.

In his video message on X, Rahul Gandhi said that Singh had lied in Parliament about the issue of compensation to families of killed Agniveers.

“The importance of truth in every religion. RajnathSingh lied before Lord Shiva’s photo about the compensation to the country, its armed forces, and Agniveers. I have said in my speech that don’t listen to me or his (RajnathSingh) speech, but listen to the family of Agniveer family,” the Leader of the Opposition said in a video message.

He shared the video of the father of Agniveer Ajay Singh who died in Jammu and Kashmir and said that despite Singh‘s claims, his family had not received the promised compensation.

Ajay Singh‘s father said, “RajnathSingh made the statement that families of killed soldiers have been given Rs 1 crore compensation but no such assistance had been received by his family. Rahul Gandhi is raising our voice in Parliament that families of martyrs must get all necessary help. Agniveer recruitment must stop and regular recruitment should be reinstated,” the father of Agniveer Ajay Singh said.

The Congress leader demanded an apology from the Defence Minister.

“The Defence minister had lied to the family of killed Ajay Singh ji, the armed forces and the youth of the country, and must apologise to them. Daro mat, Darao mat,” he added.

New Delhi:

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu against the Agnipath scheme, alleging there is “discrimination” in the nature and extent of benefits given to the families of the soldiers killed in action.

Mr Gandhi said though it is a policy matter that falls in the domain of an elected government, an “exception is warranted in this case” as she is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the issue affects national security.

In his two-page letter to the President of India, Mr Gandhi said he is writing to her with an appeal to provide ‘nyya’ (justice) to Agniveers, who lay down their lives in service to the nation.

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“There can be no clearer illustration of the fundamental flaw in the Agnipath scheme – the creation of a ‘lesser’ cadre of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks with lower pay, benefits and prospects,” he said while sharing his letter to President Murmu on the scheme.

Mr Gandhi also referred to his recent meeting with the family of an Agniveer Ajay Kumar (23) in Ramgarh Sardaran village in Punjab, who gave the supreme sacrifice this January in a landmine blast near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

There can be no clearer illustration of the fundamental flaw in the Agnipath scheme – the creation of a ‘lesser’ cadre of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks with lower pay, benefits and prospects.

My letter to Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu on the… pic.twitter.com/GFXFGXkwOc

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 1, 2024

He said like every Indian, he was heartbroken by his martyrdom as Ajay’s promising life was tragically cut short at such a young age. He said he was also shocked to find his family living in abject poverty.

“Despite losing their son, they were proud of his sacrifice in service to the nation. However, they also described the shocking apathy and insensitivity displayed by the government in the aftermath of his death.

“Ajay’s family has received none of the lifetime benefits or social security that the families of regular soldiers receive. This means they will not get a pension, medical facilities, assistance for education, or preference in employment,” he said.

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Mr Gandhi also said that despite Ajay’s dream to serve his country, his hard work and the highest sacrifice, his family is denied the respect and recognition that other soldiers get, only because he is an Agniveer.

“The tragic situation faced by Ajay’s family is the same injustice that thousands of Agniveers face today, and lakhs more will face in the future,” he said.

Poor families like Ajay’s are left with little respite despite their children’s ultimate sacrifice, he said.

“The discrimination in the nature and extent of benefits accorded to the families of our slain Agniveers, compared to regular soldiers warrants your urgent attention,” Mr Gandhi said in his letter.

“This anyaay – injustice – is why the Congress Party and our INDIA allies have strongly opposed the Agnipath scheme, and have promised to repeal it if we form the government,” the former Congress chief said.

In the letter, Mr Gandhi said, “I request you to intervene. I recognise that a President does not generally interfere in matters of policy, which are the domain of the elected government.

“However, I believe an exception is warranted in this case, given both the seriousness of this issue, and your unique position.

“You are the Supreme Commander of India’s Armed Forces. You have taken an oath to devote yourself to the well-being of the people of India.” “Is this discrimination against our Agniveer martyrs not a risk to our national security? Is it not a grave injustice to our youth who bravely risk their lives to serve?” Mr Gandhi asked in his letter.

“Do we not owe a duty to ensure the well-being of Ajay’s parents, his sisters, and other families like theirs,” he also asked.

“These pressing questions can only be answered in the affirmative.

“Therefore, I appeal to you to use your distinguished office to do nyaay – justice to Agniveer soldiers who lay down their lives, by ensuring that they receive the same benefits as any soldier who makes the highest sacrifice for our motherland,” he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)