New Delhi, July 26, 2024- Opposition Criticizes Agnipath Scheme Amid Modi’s Strong Defense and Support, In the wake of the 18 th Lok Sabha first sitting the Opposition Congress has stepped up its attack on the Central government over the Agnipath recruitment model for soldiers it describes as irrational and harmful to the country’s security. The scheme, that can be described as a modification of the regular army enlistment that allows the military service for a few years with several restrictions concerning the social guarantee, has been criticized since the moment it was worked out.
Facing criticism on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly supported the Agnipath scheme and said that it will help in the regeneration of armed forces and to maintain their young spirit. While addressing a function in Dras where he honored martyrs of the 1999 Kargil war Modi has said that the scheme is a dream of Indian nationalism realized.
“Agnipath scheme will strengthen the country and capable youth will also come forward to serve the motherland,” Modi added that, “recruitment policies for the private sector and paramilitary forces have been also announced regarding preference to Agniveers. ”
The Agnipath scheme adopted to reduce the average age of the armed forces hires people for four years, of which only a quarter is offered extended employment. The Congress and other opposition parties such as the JD-U, which is now in the NDA, has been demanding a rethink asserting that the scheme has deleterious effects on consistently building up militarily effectiveness and preparedness.
Modi condemned the opposition leaders for politicizing what he said was a sensitive matter concerning the security of India. He blamed them for plotting against the formations and deals of the armed forces via previous scandals and resisting the reform programs like the provision of new fighter aircraft.
Agnipath scheme a threat to national security: Rahul to Draupadi Murmu Rahul Gandhi urged the president through the letter to consider the fate of unemployed youth and bring change in the Agnipath scheme. Gandhi has argued that the scheme creates two classes of soldiers: benefitted employees, one’s who are fully compensated and provided with all the perquisites, and the Agniveers whom he says are the losers in this system.
The reports emerged at the time there were discussions about the internal military survey discussing the changes to the aforementioned scheme: the possibility of increasing the term of the recruits’ service, raising the retention rate to 60-70%, and raising the age for enlisting in the technical service.
While opponents advise the parliamentary division of the scheme, the government insists on its functionality saying that it can help to deal with problems connected to the age profile of the military. Since its inception in September 2022, two batches of Engineers have trained. Employment scheme entails persons within the age of seventeen years and above. About 5-21 years of service, whereby a quarter of that particular age cohort is carried forward for an extra 15 years of service.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has resumed focus on the Agnipath scheme, meanwhile carrying important implications for the management of India’s manpower requirements in the armed forces and defense.
Report By: Sonali Sarkar
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