10 pc constable posts in CISF reserved for Agniveers: DG Nina Singh

New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): The Central Industrial Security Force Director General, Nina Singh said that the organisation has 10 per constable posts reserved for Agniveers and there are also provision for relaxation in age and Physical Efficiency Test.

Stating that CISF will ensure Agniveers get maximum benefit of these provisions, she said CISF will also benefit with the recruitment of Agniveers.

This comes amid concerns raised over the Agniveer scheme by Congress and other Opposition parties, especially after the death of Agniveer Ajay Singh who was killed in a landmine blast near the Line of Control in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

“CISF has made all arrangements to recruit Ex-Agniveers. Ten percent of constable posts have been reserved for them. Ex-Agiveers will be given relaxation in the Physical Efficiency Test. There is also relaxation in age, there is a five year relaxation in age for the first batch and three years of age relaxation afterwards,” CISF DG Nina Singh said in a statement.

“CISF will ensure that Ex-Agniveers get maximum benefits of these relaxations. Recruitment of Ex-Agniveers will benefit CISF as it will get capable, dedicated and disciplined workforce, which will further enhance the efficiency of its operations, while Ex-Agniveers will also get opportunity in serving in CISF,” she added.

Last week, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government over the Agniveer scheme and asserted that the INDIA bloc will never let the Army weaken and will keep raising the issue.

Taking to his official X handle, Gandhi posted a video and spoke about Ajay Kumar, an Agniveer martyr and said, “The family of martyr Agniveer Ajay Kumar has not received any compensation from the government till date.”

“Whatever the government says, this is a matter of national security and I will keep raising it. INDIA bloc will never allow the Army to weaken,” he added.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi accused Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of lying on the floor of Parliament over the Agniveer scheme and the issue of compensation to families of killed Agniveers. The Congress leader also demanded an apology from the Defence Minister.

Following this, Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) posted a ‘clarification on emoluments to Agniveer Ajay Kumar’ and said Agniveer Ajay Kumar who lost his life in the line of duty and his family has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakhs, adding that ex-gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately 67 lakhs will be paid on final account settlement shortly post-due police verification.

The Agnipath Scheme in the Indian Armed Forces is a scheme brought in 2022, where selected candidates will be enrolled as Agniveers for a four-year period.

Based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces, Agniveers, after completing their engagement period will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the permanent cadre. Of these upto 25 per cent of Agniveers will be selected to be enrolled in the Armed Forces as a regular cadre.