Haryana Cabinet enhances quota for ex-Agniveers to 20 pc

Chandigarh, April 8 To facilitate rehabilitation and gainful employment and optimally utilising their skill set in uniformed and security-related services, the Haryana Cabinet on Wednesday approved the policy to enhance the existing 10 per cent horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers to 20 per cent in government services and posts.

They would be employed as Forest Guard in the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, Warder in the Prison Department and Mining Guard in the Department of Mines and Geology.

Notably, the state government had earlier provided 10 per cent horizontal reservation to ex-Agniveers, who are domicile of Haryana in certain Group 'C' posts, including Forest Guard, Warder and Mining Guard.

Subsequently, the Union Home Ministry had advised enhancement of reservation for ex-Agniveers from 10 per cent to 20 per cent in recruitments to various categories of services and posts where their specialised military training, physical fitness, discipline and field experience can be effectively utilised.

The Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, also approved an amendment to the policy for Planned Development of Retirement Housing through grant of licence under the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975.

The amendment to the Retirement Housing Policy of 2024 has been introduced to better cater to the needs of the ageing population, keeping in view their specific housing and lifestyle requirements.

The state Cabinet also approved amendments to further strengthen and streamline the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS).

It gave its approval to the Haryana Targeted Public Distribution System (Licensing and Control) Amendment Order, 2026, which amends the existing Haryana Targeted Public Distribution System (Licensing and Control) Order, 2022.

The amendments have been introduced with the objective of enhancing transparency, improving efficiency and ensuring greater accountability in the allocation and operation of Fair Price Shops across the state.

They also seek to promote inclusivity and wider participation, particularly by encouraging women to take part in the system.

Under the revised provisions, the eligibility criteria for obtaining a fair price shop licence have been clearly defined and rationalised.

The Haryana Resident Certificate of current year has been made mandatory for the applicants.

The fair price shop licence would now be granted as a minimum of 500 beneficiaries ration card instead of 300 ration cards.

Applicants will now be required to have a minimum educational qualification of 10+2 along with basic computer knowledge.

The age limit for applicants has been fixed between 21 and 45 years, and it will be mandatory for applicants to possess a valid Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and to be residents of the area.

In a major step towards women empowerment, the state Cabinet rationalised the 33 per cent reservation for women in the allocation of fair price shop licences.

This will be implemented on a roster basis, ensuring that every third licence is reserved for women.

Within the women's quota, preference will be given to victims of acid attacks, women's Self-Help Groups, at least one per block, widows and divorced or single mothers, Scheduled Caste and Backward Class and general category women.

The state Cabinet also approved amendment in Haryana Village Common Lands (Regulation) Rules of 1964 and policy for providing passage through lands in Shamlat Deh for private projects.

These rules may be called the Haryana Village Common Lands (Regulation) Amendment Rules of 2026.

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