Patna: The Bihar govt’s decision to provide employment opportunities to ex-Agniveers as warders (jail guards) has been widely welcomed by the Bihar Ex-servicemen Association, which described it as a “forward-looking step” towards rehabilitation and the effective utilisation of trained youth after military service.Under the new arrangement, at least 12.5% of jail warder posts will be reserved for ex-Agniveers within the existing 25% quota earmarked for ex-servicemen in the state recruitment framework, Bihar additional secretary-cum-director (administration) Sanjeev Jamuar said.“The move is aimed at integrating disciplined, trained personnel into the jail system, thereby strengthening internal security and improving administrative efficiency,” he added.The decision comes at a time when Agniveers completing their four-year tenure in the Indian Army are expected to seek fresh employment opportunities in central and state services. The policy is being viewed as an effort to ensure their military training, discipline and operational experience are effectively utilised in state responsibilities, govt sources said. They added that the deployment of ex-Agniveers in prisons is expected to strengthen security management, improve emergency response capability and enhance overall discipline within correctional facilities. Officials believe their experience in handling challenging situations and adherence to military discipline will prove valuable in the prison administration.Welcoming the announcement, Bihar Ex-servicemen Association senior member Col Om Prakash said the decision not only recognises the contribution of Agniveers during their service period but also provides them with a “second career pathway” in uniformed services. Such opportunities would help them maintain their sense of duty and public service while strengthening state institutions, he said.Col Prakash added that the decision is being seen as a significant step towards aligning defence-trained youth with internal security roles while addressing the post-service employment concerns of Agniveers in the state. “Every year a large number of the youths are being recruited as Agniveers from Bihar alone, and thus, the present state govt’s decision would prove to be a boon for them,” he said.
