Uttarakhand to Set Up India’s First Dedicated ‘Agniveer Cell’; Special Grants for Homestays and Self-Employment Announced
Dehradun:
The Uttarakhand Government has announced a major initiative to ensure the welfare, rehabilitation, and long-term future of Agniveers by establishing a dedicated ‘Agniveer Cell’, making Uttarakhand the first state in India to introduce such a mechanism.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made the announcement on Friday while addressing the ‘Yuva Agniveer Samvad’ organized by the Youth Foundation at Kuanwala, Dehradun.
The Chief Minister also announced that retired soldiers and Agniveers will receive special financial assistance under the Tourism Department’s Homestay Scheme. Additional grants will also be provided for developing self-employment infrastructure in border villages for local residents, ex-servicemen, and Agniveers.
Dhami said the proposed Agniveer Cell will help retired Agniveers access various state welfare schemes, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and government services.
The state government has already provided 10% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in recruitment to the Police Department, Forest Department, Disaster Management, and other state services. Age relaxation and recruitment preference will also be extended, while free and quality coaching is being offered to youth preparing for defence recruitment.
Calling military service the highest form of national service, the Chief Minister said the four years spent in the Armed Forces would become the greatest asset in every Agniveer’s life.
Highlighting welfare measures for soldiers and martyrs’ families, Dhami said ex-gratia assistance for martyr families has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, government employment opportunities for dependents have been strengthened, and the application period for government jobs has been extended from two to five years. Additional support has also been introduced for war widows, disabled soldiers, and dignified last rites for ex-servicemen.
Speaking on employment, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand’s stringent anti-cheating law has ensured transparent recruitment, resulting in over 34,000 government jobs being provided during the last five years.
He also highlighted the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), abolition of the Madrasa Board, promotion of horticulture missions, Uttarakhand’s top ranking in Sustainable Development Goals, recognition as a film-friendly state, and the arrival of over 240 million tourists in the last four years through Char Dham, Adi Kailash, and winter tourism.
