Facing strong opposition from military veterans over the Agniveer recruitment model, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the HP Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board on Tuesday that he would take up the issue directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the board meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, ex-servicemen voiced deep concerns over the four-year service model, citing a lack of long-term job security, pension benefits, and regular service perks. Shiv Dayal Singh, a veteran from Kullu, highlighted that releasing young recruits after four years severely undermines their future prospects.
Echoing their concerns, CM Sukhu noted that the reduced recruitment quotas have dealt a heavy blow to the state, particularly impacting local economies across Kangra, Bilaspur, Una, and Hamirpur. Citing Himachal’s storied military legacy—marked by four Param Vir Chakras—he criticized the scheme as unfair to the state’s brave youth and pledged his support for traditional, regular armed forces recruitment.
To address employment challenges, the Chief Minister highlighted ongoing state initiatives, including filling 1,300 police constable positions with another 1,000 on the way. He also urged veterans to contribute to the state’s rural economy by adopting natural farming, supported by government minimum support prices and increased milk procurement rates. Sainik Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil reinforced the state’s commitment, calling ex-servicemen a vital asset and promising transparent, accessible welfare measures.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
