Pune: Personnel from the first and second Agniveer batches have urged the Maharashtra govt to protect the 10% parallel reservation announced for them in police recruitment and other uniformed Group C govt services, following the Centre’s decision to extend their engagement period by two years.In a representation addressed to the chief minister and other elected representatives, the Agniveers, concerned over the uncertainty surrounding their employment prospects, have sought an assurance that the reservation announced by the state cabinet on Sept 30, 2026, would remain applicable to the first two batches, particularly those who had already submitted their unwillingness to continue serving in the Armed Forces before the Centre’s Nov 4 decision.The Agniveers have made five key demands, including continuation of the 10% parallel reservation for the first and second batches, protection of quota benefits for those who submitted their unwillingness before the Centre’s latest decision, and a clear govt resolution safeguarding their eligibility.They have also urged state govt to ensure that the extension of the Agniveer engagement period does not retrospectively affect the employment prospects of personnel who had already decided to leave military service. The govt, they said, could frame a separate policy for subsequent batches without disturbing the expectations and interests of the first two batches.The Agniveers said several young personnel had decided to leave military service after completing their four-year tenure, relying on the Maharashtra govt’s announcement of a 10% quota. Some had submitted their unwillingness nearly six months ago and had started planning their return to the state to join the police force and other govt services.“We made a crucial decision about our future by trusting the Maharashtra govt’s reservation announcement. We had planned to return home after completing four years of service and prepare for govt recruitment. Now, the uncertainty over the quota has left us worried about our future,” said an Agniveer who submitted the representation.The Centre’s Nov 4 decision to extend the engagement period of Agniveers by another two years has raised questions among these personnel about the applicability and continuity of the state govt’s earlier reservation policy. They fear that any change in the existing arrangement could leave those who have already opted out in a difficult position, as reversing their decision to leave military service may no longer be possible.“State govt has recently cleared its decision and also issued a govt resolution. A decision on any change is yet to be made, so it is too early to comment on it. However, the concerns of some Agniveers are natural,” Col Dipak Thonge (retd), director of the Maharashtra Sainik Welfare Department, told TOI.A section of Agniveers has emphasised that their demand is not for any additional concession but for protection of an employment opportunity they had relied upon while making career decisions.“If the govt announces a policy and young people plan their lives based on that assurance, who will take responsibility if the same opportunity is withdrawn later? We have served the country for four years and now want to secure our future and support our families through govt employment,” an Agniveer said.The personnel said their four years in the Armed Forces had been dedicated to serving the country and that they now wanted an opportunity to build a stable civilian career in Maharashtra.“We are not asking for special privileges. We only want the govt to honour the opportunity it had already announced and ensure that those who trusted its decision are not left in the lurch,” the Agniveer said.“This is going to be a tricky and complex situation for all state govts that have already announced job reservations for Agniveers. These personnel know that they have an opportunity to secure stable employment in their respective states, so why would they continue serving in the defence forces, especially after experiencing the nature of the duties, difficulties and service conditions over the past four years? It will be difficult for the forces to motivate those who have already made up their minds to leave military service,” a senior Army officer told TOI.
