States told to ensure pvt security jobs for Agniveers

The Union home ministry has asked all states and union territories to nudge private security agencies and training institutes to absorb ex-Agniveers, citing their experience of working in the armed forces, according to people familiar with the matter.

- Neeraj Chauhan

The move triggered sharp criticism from the Opposition which warned such an approach could create “private armies” and undermine national morale.

In a September Il letter to controlling authorities under the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA), the ministry said a high-level meeting had directed its Police-II division to work outa system for ensuring the recruitment of Agniveers by security agencies that have been contracted by government departments, banks and other entities.

“Considering the huge recruitment in the security agencies, top 10 security provider agencies may be sensitised to absorb Agniveers,” the letter said, citing Section 10(3) of PSARA, which states that private security agencies “may... give preference” toa person who has served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, police and armed constabularies when hiring guards.

Several of government's departments and paramilitary wings, such as Indo-Tibetan Border Force and Central Industrial Security Force, have announced quotas for ‘Agniveers in what was seen as a government-wide push to make the Agnipath scheme more attractive for military recruitment.