Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved a 10% reservation for ex-Agniveers in state recruitment for various services, including police, forest, excise, and fire safety roles. This decision, announced on Thursday, is aimed at providing more opportunities for ex-Agniveers to join security-related services in the state.
The new reservation policy will be in addition to the existing reservation provided to ex-servicemen. Furthermore, ex-Agniveers will benefit from a three-year relaxation in the upper age limit for direct recruitment to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts in security services. They will also be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test, further easing the path for them to enter these professions.
Key Decisions from the Odisha Cabinet Meeting
The decision to implement the reservation policy was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja stated that the meeting also saw the approval of several other key proposals, including a provision for providing jobs on compassionate grounds to unmarried and step-daughters of government employees.
Additionally, the cabinet approved the transfer of equity shares from Shapoorji Pallonji Port Maintenance Pvt Ltd and Odisha Stevedores Ltd to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ). With this approval, Adani Ports will now hold a 95% stake in the Gopalpur Port project, with Odisha Stevedores retaining the remaining 5%.
Expansion of Adani Ports in Gopalpur
Adani Ports had earlier acquired a 56% stake in Gopalpur Port and a 39% stake in Odisha Stevedores from the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. This new acquisition will bolster Adani Ports’ presence in Odisha, consolidating its stake in the Gopalpur Port project to 95%. This move is part of Adani Ports’ broader strategy to expand its footprint in India’s port sector.
Boost for Ex-Agniveers in Odisha
The Odisha government’s new reservation rules specifically target the recruitment of ex-Agniveers into security-related services such as police, forest, excise, and firefighting departments. This follows an earlier decision to reserve 10% of Group C and D posts in these sectors for ex-Agniveers.
These steps reflect the state’s commitment to recognising the contributions of ex-Agniveers and providing them with meaningful employment opportunities. With the relaxation of age limits and exemption from physical tests, the state hopes to make the recruitment process more accessible for these candidates, thus encouraging their reintegration into the workforce.
The state government’s decisions signal a clear intent to support ex-Agniveers and strengthen public services, while also facilitating significant economic partnerships, such as the expanded role of Adani Ports in the state’s port infrastructure.
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