Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 7 Aug: Addressing a press conference at the State BJP Headquarters here today, Chairman of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Advisory Council, Col Ajay Kothiyal (Retd) reminded media persons that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami, the country’s first Agniveer Re‑employment Cell has been set up to guarantee jobs for every soldier completing service under the Agnipath scheme.
Kothiyal described opposition criticism of the scheme as baseless, factually incorrect and politically motivated. He asserted that the cell is preparing to secure employment for the first two batches of nearly 1,200 Agniveers from Uttarakhand who will complete their four‑year service in December and January.
Col Kothiyal also outlined the functioning of this special cell, the first of its kind in the country, created for the rehabilitation of Agniveers. He explained that the Indian Army launches any scheme only after extensive testing and future planning, and Agnipath was a long‑needed reform for the nation and its armed forces. He said that once 25 per cent of Agniveers are retained in the Army and 75 percent enter society as skilled, trained and disciplined manpower, the challenge is to channelise them into suitable employment. After detailed deliberations, the CM had announced the establishment of the Agniveer Re‑employment Cell on 17 July, which will function directly under the Chief Minister’s Office. The cell will include a retired Army Colonel, an experienced state government officer and a team of experts, coordinating with the Centre, the Home Ministry, state departments and corporate groups to provide appropriate jobs to every Agniveer.
Kothiyal emphasised that the scheme rests on three pillars: the Agniveers completing four years of service, the institutions offering employment, and the cell acting as a bridge between the two. He said the Army is certifying and training Agniveers in essential skills to prepare them for civilian life. Employment opportunities will be available in paramilitary forces, Assam Rifles, central and state government departments and corporate organisations. The cell will also focus on matching the required qualifications and competencies with the expectations of employers.
He added that the cell is being readied to receive the first batch of Agniveers on 31 December, with full preparations in place. Some will pursue further studies, others will opt for self‑employment, and the cell will support them accordingly. The second batch will complete service on 31 January, bringing the total number of Agniveers from Uttarakhand to over 1,200. The first batch of Agniveers from the Indian Navy will pass out on 21 November, and they too will be accommodated.
Col Kothiyal dismissed the allegations made by the opposition and Congress against the Agniveer scheme as unfounded and misleading. He urged that on a matter of national interest, all the political parties should rise above politics. He said attempts to spread confusion and falsehoods will not succeed, as the people of the country have full faith in the Indian Army and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and this trust will soon be visibly realised.
BJP State Co‑Media In‑charge Rajendra Negi and BJP State Spokesperson Kamlesh Raman were also present on the occasion.
