Chief ministers of Assam and Manipur on June 15 announced that the ‘Agniveers’ under the Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be given “special preference” in police jobs once they retire from the 4-year service.
In a tweet, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “PM Shri Narendra Modi ji has announced a pathbreaking scheme ‘Agnipath’ for recruitment into armed forces. Agniveers who will return after 4 years of service in the armed forces will be given special preference in Assam Police recruitment.”
His Manipur counterpart, N Biren Singh also hailed the ‘Agnipath’ scheme. “In a move which will make our armed forces more youthful, the Agnipath scheme will open the doors for the youth to join the country’s premier armed forces as Agniveers. Agniveers returning from ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be given preference in the state police/MR/IRB recruitment,” he tweeted.
Chief ministers of other Northeast states also hailed the central government for launching the ‘Agnipath’ scheme for recruitment of youth in the armed forces.
On June 14, the Union cabinet had approved the Agnipath recruitment scheme for youth to serve in the armed forces. Soldiers recruited under the scheme will be inducted into the forces as ‘Agniveers’.
The ‘Agnipath’ model will foresee the recruitment of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in army, air force and navy for four years, including six months of training.
“We are excited about the unique program ‘Agnipath’ for recruiting youth in the armed forces for 4 years. Grateful to Hon PM Shri Narendra Modi and Hon Defence Min Shri Rajnath Singh for this opportunity to the Young, Youthful India,” Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu tweeted.
In a separate tweet, Khandu said: “46,000 Agniveers will be recruited this year, and the rallies for it will start in 90 days. The scheme is designed to ensure that our armed forces have a younger, fitter, diverse profile for facing future challenges.”
Tripura chief minister Manik Saha has also hailed the ‘Agnipath’ scheme and thanked the prime minister.
