Maharashtra appoints 282 former Navy Agniveers as police constables

The Maharashtra government has formally approved the appointment of 282 former Navy Agniveers, all residents of the state, as police constables. The move has been described as a historic step towards securing the future of young people keen to serve the country.

The promise made by the state Cabinet to give reservation to Agniveers in government service has now been put into effect. The approval was given after the necessary changes to rules and policy were completed.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision in a post on social media platform X. He wrote, "The state Cabinet had decided to give reservation in government jobs to Agniveers who have served the country. In keeping with that commitment, the necessary rules were amended, and the recruitment of 282 Agniveers in the police department is now complete."

According to the information available, the state government has received from the Centre the authorised list of 282 Navy Agniveers from the state. Appointment letters have been issued to all 282 candidates.

Of the 282, 150 are Sailors (Deckside) and 132 are Sailors (Engineside). Both groups have been taken into service as police constables.

At the end of his message, Chief Minister Fadnavis congratulated all the newly appointed police constables on their new role and assured them of a bright future. It has been said that the state government's step, on how the experience of young people returning from military service can be used for the safety of ordinary citizens, has become an example for other states.

Earlier, the state government had decided to give former Agniveers 10 per cent horizontal reservation in government jobs. They will be eligible for appointment to Group C posts in uniformed services. A policy has been prepared to take into government service Agniveers who retire after completing a four-year tenure in the armed forces.