Agniveers who complete four-year term to get 25 per cent of police posts in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made a major announcement for Agniveers. Those who return after completing their four-year term will be taken into the state police as well as various government services. Fadnavis said 25 per cent of Agniveers will be given a chance in the police.

According to Fadnavis, these Agniveers will get a four-year relaxation in age. He said they would not have to take any examination, nor would they be required to undergo fresh training.

The decision was taken at the state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Fadnavis today, Tuesday, September 29. The meeting took 10 major decisions in all, ranging from Agniveers to a circuit bench.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Fadnavis said the four-year term of the first batch of Agniveers is now coming to an end. He said, "Under the Centre's scheme, some Agniveers will continue in the Army, while it is necessary that the remaining Agniveers get a chance in various government services."

Fadnavis said, "The state government has already decided on 10 per cent horizontal reservation for Agniveers. Besides, the government has also taken the stance of giving them priority in the ex-servicemen category. The government's effort is therefore to make the state police and other security arrangements benefit from their four years of experience in the forces."

On Agniveers to be appointed as firemen, Fadnavis said a condition will be set that they complete the relevant training. This training will have to be completed within one year. He also said it has been decided to create additional posts if the number of required posts falls short. According to him, the government has adopted the approach of accommodating Agniveers willing to work in government service.

The experience of Agniveers returning after serving in the Navy can be useful for coastal security. It has therefore been decided to relax the norms for posts so that such Agniveers can be taken into the coastal security set-up.

The Cabinet meeting also held an important discussion on the drought situation in the state. Ministers had pointed out that crops have suffered heavy damage in some talukas, but these do not fit the current drought norms. In view of some of the Trigger-2 norms, a process has been laid down to extend drought benefits to those areas as well, if required.

A Cabinet sub-committee will monitor this process. Fadnavis said the government's effort is that help should not be limited to the taluka level but should also be considered at the circle (mandal) level. This is expected to bring relief to farmers who could otherwise miss out on assistance because of the drought norms.