Ex-Agniveersto get uniformed services

Bhopal: A letter from the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) to all states, recommending 20% reservation for formerAgniveersin uniformed services, has spurred readiness in the state administration to draft them in police and fire services or in positions such as jail wardens and forest guards.This is the second set of letters from the Centre to all states, asking for all retiringAgniveersto be drafted into uniformed services under the reserved category.While all other BJP-ruled states started work in this direction after the first letter, the matter had been pending for almost two years in Madhya Pradesh. However, with the fresh letters from the MHA earlier this month, the stalled drafting process for formerAgniveershas gathered steam, highly-placed sources said, adding that a decision on the same was expected soon.Top govt officials said the process could be completed this year itself, ahead of the retirement of the first batch ofAgniveers.The MHA letters had recommended 20% reservation for formerAgniveersin uniformed services such as police, mining guards, jail wardens and Group C positions.According to sources, the matter has moved from the back burner to the forefront of the govt's priorities, as the chief minister's secretariat has instructed the home department to set the ball rolling in this regard.The first batch ofAgniveers, young soldiers drafted into the tri-services on a four-year tenure, is slated to retire in 2027.The letter clearly states that placingAgniveerswith full military training into state-level law enforcement forces would ensure proper utilisation of their experience and skills.After reviewing the previous letter last year, the home department forwarded it to the police headquarters. However, the two departments couldn't reach a consensus and the matter was put on hold.