Agniveers to be given priority in CAPF jobs

Programme seeks to recruit personnel, including women, for 4 years with provision to retain 25% of them in the regular cadre

New Delhi: A day after the Centre announced the launch of Agnipath scheme for shortterm induction of soldiers in the armed forces, Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said his ministry will give preference to these Agniveers who complete four years of service for appointment in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR).

Shah said that a “detailed planning” has started in his ministry in this regard.

“Agnipath Yojana is a visionary and welcome decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the bright future of the youth. In this context, today, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has decided to give priority to Agniveers who complete four years under this scheme for recruitment in CAPFs (central armed police forces) and Assam Rifles,” he said.

The Agnipath scheme will also help youngsters to contribute more to the service and security of the nation, the Union minister said.

The scheme was announced by defence minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of the three military chiefs on Tuesday. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, the programme seeks to recruit personnel, including women, for only four years with a provision to retain 25% of them in the regular cadre for 15 more years after another round of screening.

It also aims to enhance the operational preparedness of the armed forces, and create a skilled and dynamic workforce for employment in other sectors, top government officials said. There will be no other avenue for recruitment for personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in the army, air force and navy. The armed forces will recruit 46,000 Agniveers – in the age group of 17-and-ahalf and 21 years – this year, the defence ministry said.