New Delhi [India], May 20 (HBTV): In a major step to honour bravery and support armed forces personnel, the Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has approved a proposal to provide an ex-gratia grant of INR 1 crore to the families of Battle Casualty (Agniveer) personnel. The decision also includes a one-time cash award for Gallantry and Distinguished Award winners among Agniveers hailing from Haryana.

Notably, the state government already provides an ex-gratia grant of INR 1 crore to the families of Battle Casualties from the Defence and Para-Military Forces, and it has now decided to extend the same benefit to Agniveers as well, according to an official release.

In 2022, the Government of India launched the Agnipath scheme to recruit both male and female aspirants as Agniveers (below the officer rank cadre) into all three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—for a period of four years. Under this scheme, selected candidates are enrolled as Agniveers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.

The first batch of Agniveers joined the Armed Forces in August 2023. To date, a total of 5,120 Agniveers have been recruited across all districts of Haryana during the financial years 2022–23 and 2023–24. During 2024–25, approximately 2,000 Agniveers were recruited from the state.

(ANI)