Explained: What Is Agnipath Scheme And Why Aspirants Are Agitated Over It

Protests against the Centre's Agnipath recruitment scheme continued for the third day in various parts of the country. The Centre announced on Thursday a two-year relaxation in the upper age limit for this year because there has been no recruitment in the services "in the last two years."

However, according to the Railways, around 300 train services have been impacted and over 200 have been cancelled amid violent Agnipath protests.

A large group of youth vandalised 2 trains at Ballia railway station and set fire to a train compartments on the Washing line in Uttar Pradesh. One person was killed and at least 8 people were badly injured in Secunderabad after police opened fire to control protestors who thrashed railway stations and pelted stones.

What is Agnipath scheme? What is Agniveer?

Recently, the Indian Government announced the Agnipath Scheme, its new defence recruiting policy. The scheme applies to the Air Force, Navy, and Army. The new scheme has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and will go into effect immediately.

The government launched the Agnipath scheme this week to employ army personnel for the Military, Naval force, and Air Force. The scheme's primary goal is to minimize the armed forces' age range and to reduce the escalating pension bills. The scheme was introduced because more funds were being spent on salaries and pensions rather than on much-needed military modernization.

BCCL

Youth aged 17.5 to 21 years old will be hired directly from educational establishments or through recruiting rallies under the scheme. They will be hired through a contract. They will go through a six month intensive training programme as well as 3.5 years of active service.

Only 25% of the most motivated and best-performing army personnel will be offered a 15-year extension after 4 years in the military services. These troops will be known as Agniveers.

The government intends to recruit approximately 40,000 soldiers through the new system.

Benefits under the scheme

Those who join the military will receive favourable terms from the government. Aside from a decent income, reportedly around Rs 40,000 per month during the 4th year of service, the administration will also contribute to the fund's corpus, which will offer a retirement benefits of around Rs 11 lakh upon exit.

BCCL

Soldiers will contribute approximately 30% of their salaries to the corpus, with the government matching their contributions. The government will also assist soldiers in obtaining educational loans. The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that Agniveers will be given preference when recruiting for the Central Armed Police Forces. Several BJP-led states have made similar pledges.

Concerns regarding Agnipath

While the government emphasizes the advantages of this programme, the concerns remain unaddressed.

According to the news agency PTI, Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retired) believes the Agnipath scheme, also known as the Tour of Duty (ToD) scheme, will spell the end of the armed forces.

"ToD was not tested, there was no pilot project, and it was simply implemented." Will also lead to the militarization of society, with almost 40,000 (75%) youth returning year after year, rejected and dejected, semi-trained in arms ex-Agnives. This is not a good idea. "No one benefits," Bhatia tweeted.

Death knell for armed forces, ToD not tested, NO pilot project, straight implementation. Will also lead to Militarization of society, nearly 40,000(75%) youth year on year back rejected & dejected without a job, semi trained in arms ex Agniveers. Not a good idea. No one gains. https://t.co/tmt3qekeup

¡ª Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia Retd (@Ptr6Vb) June 13, 2022

Another disadvantage for recruits is that they might no longer be eligible for a pension. Second, for 75% of the recruits, this would be the end of the journey in terms of joining the army.

It is also being chastised for failing to provide recruits with permanent jobs or the promised pensions and healthcare benefits even after they retire.

What will Agniveers do after four years?

The government also stated that the intake in the military services in the following years will be roughly triple what it is now, with several options available for those who are demobilised after 4 years. The government provided a detailed clarification about what an Agniveer can do after 4 years.

In each batch, 25% of Agniveers will be chosen for the permanent cadre in the armed services. The remaining 75% of Agniveers will have numerous opportunities to forge their own career path. Every demobilised Agniveer will receive a monetary package of around Rs 12 lakh as well as a head start in life.

File Photo

They will be given preference in Central Armed Forces and Assam Rifles recruitment. Many BJP-ruled states, including Uttar Pradesh and MP, have stated that Agnives will be given priority in the recruitment of state police officers.

Protests against the scheme

A number of young men and women who aspired to join the military have protested against the Agnipath scheme in Bihar. Protesters are upset with the Agnipath scheme because the new age cap will prevent many people from attending recruitment rallies.

BCCL

Previously, young men between the ages of 16.5 and 21 were chosen for a minimum of 15 years. They would receive a pension upon retirement. The new system entirely replaces the previous one. They can now be recruited between the ages of 17 and 21. Most recruits will be limited to four years of service.

The Bihar government has suspended internet access in 12 districts until June 19. There have also been reports of internet outages in Palwal, Haryana, and the Ballabhgarh region of the neighbouring Faridabad district.

The government has ordered all internet providers to stop users from exchanging posts or visual material through a list of social networking websites that includes Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, Reddit, Snapchat, YouTube, and others, in accordance with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services rules.