Uttarakhand Becomes First State To Set Up Employment Cell For Agniveers

Dehradun: Uttarakhand has become a pioneering state in India by establishing an Employment Cell for Agniveers, as the hill region takes the lead in soldier welfare schemes. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has placed utmost importance on soldier welfare, with the recent approval of the Employment Cell aimed at helping Agniveers secure jobs after their four-year tenure in the armed forces.

Uttarakhand is the first state to implement such initiatives, setting an example for others to follow. The government has also allocated 10 percent reservation for Agniveers in government services and plans to erect statues of martyrs in their ancestral villages to honor their sacrifice and inspire future generations. The ex-gratia amount for Param Vir Chakra awardees has been raised from ₹1.5 crore to ₹2 crore, while dependents of other martyrs now receive ₹50 lakh instead of ₹10 lakh.

Additionally, financial assistance for gallantry award recipients has been enhanced. Sainya Dham, a tribute to state soldiers, has been completed in Dehradun, featuring soil from martyrs' homes and inscriptions of their heroic tales. The Dhami government has also extended the application deadline for government employment to eligible dependents of martyrs, from two to five years.

Armed forces personnel and retirees now benefit from a 25 percent stamp duty concession on property purchases up to ₹25 lakh. The state government is actively resolving land fraud cases involving soldiers and ex-servicemen's families, showing its unwavering commitment to their honor and welfare. Chief Minister Dhami expressed pride in the government's historic decisions for soldier welfare, with Sainya Dham symbolizing the region's rich military heritage.