News Analysis India

Tag: Agnipath recruitment

  • If Agniveers don’t get pension, why should public representatives: BJP MP Varun Gandhi

    By PTI

    PILIBHIT: In his fresh criticism of the Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme, BJP MP Varun Gandhi Friday said if those recruited in the armed forces under this initiative are not eligible for a pension, then why should public representatives get this post-retirement benefit.

    Gandhi has been questioning the ‘Agnipath’ scheme since it was unveiled on June 14 by the Centre. The scheme envisages recruiting young soldiers on a contractual basis for four years and retire 75 per cent of them without pension and health benefits.

    अल्पावधि की सेवा करने वाले अग्निवीर पेंशन के हकदार नही हैं तो जनप्रतिनिधियों को यह ‘सहूलियत’ क्यूँ?राष्ट्ररक्षकों को पेन्शन का अधिकार नही है तो मैं भी खुद की पेन्शन छोड़ने को तैयार हूँ।क्या हम विधायक/सांसद अपनी पेन्शन छोड़ यह नही सुनिश्चित कर सकते कि अग्निवीरों को पेंशन मिले?
    — Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) June 24, 2022
    However, it assures them of an exit package of Rs 11.70 lakh. “If Agniveers who serve for a short period of time are not entitled to a pension, then why this ‘facility’ should be for public representatives? If those who protect the country do not have the right to pension then I am also ready to forego mine,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Can we, the MLA/sMPs, give up our pension to ensure that Agniveers get a pension,” he said. Earlier, he had extended support to students protesting against the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme, but had urged them to follow the path of non-violence.

  • Agnipath scheme in a real sense is a scam meant to inflame India’s youth, says Kanhaiya Kumar

    By Online Desk

    Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar dubbed the Agnipath military recruitment scheme a ‘scam,’ and denied the role of opposition in encouraging violence, as claimed by the BJP, against the scheme. 

    Speaking to NDTV, he said the root cause of the protest has to be understood first.

    “This Agnipath scheme in real sense is a scam meant to inflame the youths of the country. With full responsibility, I am saying this because in the past three days one can view the development. Isn’t the government aware of the outcome of such announcements and schemes? Have not they done any assessment of the reaction of the youth? The damage control work that they are doing today in a jiffy, why haven’t they done it before announcing the scheme?” he questioned.

    Kanhaiya Kumar noted that the reason for this whole crisis is that the unemployment rate of Bihar is double that of the national figure. The jobless youths are left with no other alternatives. The government is not serious about addressing the unemployment problem in the country. 

    On the government’s plea that it wants to reduce the army’s average age, Kanhaiya said it wants to reduce the number and not the “age”. The truth is that this government wants to reduce spending and it is playing with the security of the country.

    “Every year 50,000 army personnel were recruited. The recruitment did not happen for the past two years because of Covid-19. The government has answers to how it is going to clear the backlog of 28 lakh vacant government posts,” he said.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi will have to withdraw ‘Agnipath’ scheme, it’s weakening the army: Rahul Gandhi

    In his address in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “many decisions/reforms may seem unfair in the beginning but later they help in nation-building. Many decisions/reforms benefit the country, they lead us to new goals and new resolutions.”

    Commenting on the PM’s address, Kanhaiya said, “I was hoping that the PM would appeal to the youth for peace. He will appeal to the youth to stop the violence and not to damage public property and the government would address their issues but no such appeal was made.” 

    Referring to the ongoing protests, Kanhaiya said, “Nobody protested when lemon was sold at 150 rupees or when there was oxygen scarcity; the same people of Bihar walked 1000 miles along railway tracks and highway to reach Bihar during Covid-19, nor did they set trains on fire. When the value of rupees dipped with respect to dollars, have you seen any violence? Or in any petrol pump for price hike? The government has snatched today’s youth’s dream. One revolutionary poet has written it’s dangerous to kill one’s dream.”

    “People never come out against the government. When the trust was broken, they oppose. When the Annadata’s hypocrisy was broken, the protest came to the fore. Similarly, two crore jobs were promised to the youth. When that didn’t happen, there was opposition. The youth feel that they are being cheated so they came on the road. If it is the opposition then who listens to the opposition? If the opposition was heard, the BJP would not have been running the government in the country. The youth feel that the government is cheating on them,” he added.

    AGNIPATH EXPLAINER: All you need to know about the scheme

    Kanhaiya was of the impression that the people of this country had trusted the PM. “On his appeal, they even lighted lamps, banged plates with the hope if Modi is saying, it may be for some good but the government reneged on the promise of doubling farmer’s income and implemented farm’s law to benefit the merchant, the people now got the messages that they should not rely on him.”

    Kanhaiya appealed to the youth of the country not to damage private, and public property. “The damage of the private or government property is ultimately the country’s property and it’s our responsibility to safeguard it. It can be done not only by being an army man but also as a citizen, we have to protect it. Fight for your justice, but follow the path of truth and non-violence.”

  • Over 80 trains cancelled on Monday amid Agnipath protests

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Over 80 trains have been cancelled on Monday amid the protests in various parts of the country against the new recruitment scheme in the Armed Forces.

    A total of 18 East-bound train services scheduled from different Northern Railway terminals have been cancelled today, according to Northern Railways.

    It further informed that as many as 71 Delhi area-bound commuter trains (including return services) have also been dismissed for today in the wake of the protests against the Centre’s Agnipath recruitment scheme.

    ALSO READ: Security forces deployed in several states amid Bharat Bandh call

    Train services of the Western Railway zone were affected yesterday as well. Security has been beefed up in several states on Monday amid protests against the Centre’s new Agnipath recruitment scheme.

    After the policy, which allows Indian youths to serve in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces for a period of four years, was announced on June 14, protests erupted in various states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand and Assam.

    As the agitation intensified in some places, protestors went on the rampage setting trains on fire, torching vehicles and damaging both private and public properties.Congress will also hold “peaceful” protests across the country on Monday against the “anti-youth” Agnipath recruitment scheme.

    ALSO READ: Draft notification on hires Monday; army to hold 83 recruitment rallies across country

    Taking to Twitter, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday, “Tomorrow lakhs of Congress workers across the country will continue peaceful protests against the anti-youth Agnipath scheme and against Modi government’s vendetta politics targeting its MP Rahul Gandhi.”

    Several organisations will stage protests against the Agnipath scheme at Jantar Mantar in the national capital today. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai too will join the protest.

    “A joint movement will be organized at Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 11 am on June 20 against the Agnipath scheme,” Rai had said in a tweet on Friday.

    ALSO READ: All you need to know about Army recruitment scheme that has India on the boil

    A total of 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited this year but a top military officer said it will go up to 1.25 lakhs in near future. The entry age for all new recruits in the Armed Forces has been fixed as 17.5 to 21 years of age. However, following protests, the Central government announced an increase in the upper age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers from 21 years to 23 years for the recruitment cycle of 2022 as it has not been possible to undertake the recruitment during the last two years.

    In Rajasthan’s Jaipur, prohibitory orders under section 144 have been imposed from 6 pm on Sunday till midnight of August 18 in the view of the possibility of disturbance to law and order due to the protests.

  • Agnipath: Security forces deployed in several states amid Bharat Bandh call

    By Online Desk

    In view of the Bharat Bandh called by some organisations as a protest against the Agnipath recruitment scheme, security has been beefed up in several states on Monday.

    The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

    ALSO READ: Draft notification on hires Monday; army to hold 83 recruitment rallies across country

    After the policy, which allows Indian youths to serve in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces for a period of four years, was announced on June 14, protests erupted in various states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand and Assam. As the agitation intensified in some places, protestors went on the rampage setting trains on fire, torching vehicles and damaging both private and public properties.

    Over 80 trains cancelled

    Due to ongoing students’ agitation against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme across the nation, over 80 trains have been cancelled on Monday.

    A total of 18 East-bound train services scheduled from different Northern Railway terminals have been cancelled, according to Northern Railways. It further informed that as many as 71 Delhi area-bound commuter trains (including return services) have also been dismissed for today in the wake of the protests against the Centre’s Agnipath recruitment scheme.

    Congress to meet President and demand withdrawal of Scheme

    Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken said that the Congress will hold Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar on Monday and demand the President withdraw the Agnipath recruitment scheme.

    “We’ll sit on Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar today, and in the evening at 5 pm we’ll meet the President and demand that the Agnipath scheme be withdrawn,” said Congress’ Ajay Maken.

    ALSO READ: All you need to know about Army recruitment scheme that has India on the boil

    Taking to Twitter, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday, “Tomorrow lakhs of Congress workers across the country will continue peaceful protests against the anti-youth Agnipath scheme and against Modi government’s vendetta politics targeting its MP Rahul Gandhi.

    Schools closed in Jharkhand

    All schools in Jharkhand will remain closed on Monday. Security personnel have been deployed at various locations in Ranchi amid protests against the Army recruitment scheme.

    A total of 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited this year but a top military officer said it will go up to 1.25 lakhs in near future. The entry age for all new recruits in the Armed Forces has been fixed as 17.5 to 21 years of age.

    ALSO READ: Congress holds ‘Satyagraha’ at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with protesting youth

    However, following protests, the Central government announced an increase in the upper age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers from 21 years to 23 years for the recruitment cycle of 2022 as it has not been possible to undertake the recruitment during the last two years.

    Meanwhile, police in several states have announced measures and tightened security for June 20 protest. In Delhi’s neighbouring areas Faridabad and Noida, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which prohibits the assembly of four or more persons, has been imposed.

    Uttar Pradesh Police said that strict action will be taken against those found involved in jeopardising peace.”Amid protests against Agnipath Scheme, anti-social elements may jeopardise peace. Section 144 imposed in Gautam Buddha Nagar and strict action will be taken against those found involved in such incidents,” said Ashutosh Dwivedi, ADCP, Law and Order, Noida.

    ALSO READ: Agnipath applicants will have to give undertaking they didn’t take part in protests, arson

    Punjab Police’s ADGP Law and Order has directed the CPs and SSPs across the state to be on alert and asked them to monitor the activities of social media groups which are actively mobilizing or spreading instigating information about the scheme.

    As a precautionary measure, all schools in Jharkhand will remain closed today in the wake of the protests called by certain organisations, the state education official informed on Sunday.

    All schools in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur will also remain shut, as per the order by the district administration.

    While the government points out that the ‘Agnipath’ scheme gives a golden opportunity to the youth to join the defence system and serve the country, Congress had said the recruitment policy is controversial, carries multiple risks, subverts the long-standing traditions and ethos of the armed forces and there is no guarantee that the soldiers recruited under the scheme will be better trained and motivated to defend the country.

    ALSO WATCH:

    Agniveers will be enrolled for a service duration of 4 years including the training period. After four years, only 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness. These 25 per cent Agniveers will then serve for a full term of another 15 years.

    As the protests continue, a senior Army officer on Sunday clarified that the scheme will not be rolled back and said that it is the “only progressive step to make the country young”.

    Meanwhile, the registration process for the first batch of Agniveers under the Centre’s newAgnipath recruitment scheme will begin on June 24 and the online examination would be held on July 24.

    ALSO READ: 35 WhatsApp groups banned by government for ‘spreading fake news’ about Agnipath scheme

    Congress has urged the government to keep the Agnipath scheme in abeyance, hold wide consultations with serving and retired officers, and address the issues of quality, efficiency and economy without compromising on any of the three considerations.

    Addressing the concerns over the future of Agniveers and their job security, the Centre approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence for Agniveers meeting requisite eligibility criteria and also decided to give priority to them in the recruitment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles.

    Several state governments like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Karnataka have announced to give Agniveers priority in state government jobs.

    Protests have disrupted rail services in several parts of the country. A total of 491 train services have been affected throughout the country due to the ongoing agitation, informed railway officials on Sunday.

  • Agnipath on: Draft notification on hires today; army to hold 83 recruitment rallies across country

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: With the general situation across the nation easing a tad after days of violent protests, the government fielded senior tri-services officers as well as from the defence ministry to rebut criticism, convey that the short-term Agnipath recruitment scheme was very much on, and to indicate a broad timeline of its rollout.

    Fielding questions at a press conference on whether the government proposed to review or roll back the scheme, Lt Gen Puri, additional secretary in the Department of Military Affairs, shot back, “No, why should there be a rollback?” 

    ALSO READ: 35 WhatsApp groups banned by government for ‘spreading fake news’ about Agnipath scheme

    He said the whole objective was reduce the average age of the personnel in uniform. “I will give you an example. Do you know how many casualties are reported just for health purposes from high altitude areas? Do read about it, then you would come to know why young is important,” he said.

    Putting the protesters on notice, Lt Gen Puri warned that they will find no place in the Agnipath scheme. “The Army’s foundation is discipline. There is no space for arson or vandalism. Every individual will give a certificate that they were not part of the protest or vandalism. Police verification is 100%; no one can join without that. If any FIR is lodged against them, they can’t join,” he said.

    ALSO READ: All you need to know about Army recruitment scheme that has India on the boil

    As for allowances, Agniveers will get them at par with regular soldiers. Also the family of any Agniveer sacrificing his/her life in the service of the nation will get compensation of Rs 1 crore. While many experts have wondered why the defence ministry did not see the need to run a pilot project to test the idea, Lt Gen Puri suggested the first batch of 46,000 hires was meant to do just that — analyse the outcome to tweak the scheme if needed.

    “In the next 4-5 years, our intake will be 50,000-60,000 and will increase to 90,000-1 lakh subsequently. We’ve started small at 46,000 to analyse the scheme…and to build up infra capacity. Our intake of Agniveers will go up to 1.25 lakh in the near future,” he said. Addressing the press meet, Air Marshal S K Jha said, “Agniveer batch 1 registration will start from June 24 and from July 24, phase 1 of the online examination process would start. Training would commence by December 30.” 

    ALSO READ: Congress holds ‘Satyagraha’ at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with protesting youth

    As for the Army, Lt Gen Bansi Ponappa said a draft notification on the hiring will be issued on Monday. In all, 83 recruitment rallies would be organised across the country. Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said the first batch of naval recruits — both male and female — would join training  by November 21. In the first batch, 3,000 Agniveers will be inducted into the Navy, ofw whom 20% would be women, said sources.

    Mix of josh and hosh

    “We want a mix of josh and hosh. That is why we want to reduce the age profile. The average age is 32 years at present and we want to reduce it as per the recommendations of the Kargil review committee and Arun Singh committee report,” Lt Gen Puri said

    ALSO WATCH:

  • Release between service not permited: Army comes out with terms and conditions for Agnipath scheme

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army on Sunday released terms and conditions and related details for prospective applicants wanting to join the force under the Agnipath military recruitment scheme. The Army said that ‘Agniveers’ would form a distinct rank in the Indian Army that will be different from any other existing ranks and they can be posted to any regiment and unit.

    It said ‘Agniveers’ will be barred from disclosing classified information gained during the four-year service period to any unauthorised person or source under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. “With the introduction of this scheme, the enrolment of soldiers in the regular cadre of the Indian Army, except technical cadres of medical branch, will be available only to those personnel who have completed their engagement period as Agniveer,” the Army said.

    ALSO READ| Agnipath and the dark matter of democracy

    It said the release of an Agniveer at own request prior to completion of terms of engagement is not permitted. “However, in most exceptional cases, personnel enrolled under this scheme may be released, if sanctioned by the competent authority,” it said.

    The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

    Later the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022. The personnel to be recruited under the new scheme will be known as ‘Agniveers’. The Army said the new recruits will be subjected to the provisions of the Army Act, 1950 and will be liable to go wherever ordered by land, sea or air.

    The Army said a “distinctive insignia” will be worn by the ‘Agniveers’ on their uniform during their service period and that detailed instructions on it will be issued separately.

    The Army said that based on organisational requirements and policies, ‘Agniveers’, on completion of their engagement period in each batch, will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the regular cadre.

    ALSO READ| 35 WhatsApp groups banned for ‘spreading fake news’ about Agnipath scheme

    “These applications will be considered in a centralised manner by the Army based on objective criteria including performance during their engagement period and not more than 25 per cent of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre post completion of their four-year engagement period,” according to the document released by the Army.

    “Agniveers so enrolled as regular cadre would be required to serve for a further engagement period of 15 years and will be governed by terms and conditions of service (of Junior Commissioned Officer/ Other Ranks) currently in vogue,” it said.

    The Army said the Agniveers will not have any right to be selected after completion of their four-year tenure. As part of the enrolment process, each ‘Agniveer’ will be required to formally accept all terms and conditions of the ‘Agnipath’ scheme.

    For personnel below the age of 18 years, the enrolment form will be required to be signed by the parents or guardians, according to the document. The ‘Agniveers’ will be eligible for 30 days leave in a year as against 90 days for those in regular service.

    Medical leave will be granted based on medical advice. The Army said 30 per cent of the monthly salary of the Agniveers will be compulsorily deposited in a corpus and an equal amount will be contributed by the government.

    “On completion of the tenure, the corpus of Rs 5.02 lakhs will be matched by the government of India and an amount of Rs 10.04 lakhs and accrued interest will be given to the Agniveers. In case of Agniveers who are subsequently selected for enrolment in the Indian Army as regular cadre, the Seva Nidhi package to be paid to them will comprise only their contribution including accrued interest thereon,” the Army said.

    “In the case of Agniveers exiting service before the end of their engagement period on their own request, the individual’s Seva Nidhi Package, accumulated as on date, will be paid with the applicable rate of interest. In such cases, no government contribution to Seva Nidhi Package will be entitled,” it said.

  • BJP’s Vijayvargiya offers security jobs for Agniveers at party offices; Congres seeks apology

    By PTI

    INDORE: BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday sought to defend the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for military recruitment, which is facing stiff opposition from various quarters, saying if he has to appoint security personnel as his party office, he would give priority to those who have served as Agniveers.

    His remark soon kicked up a row, with some prominent political leaders, including his party colleague MP Varun Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, besides several netizens slamming him for it.

    The Madhya Pradesh Congress demanded an apology from the BJP for “insulting” the defence forces.

    Under fire for the statement, Vijayvargiya later said what he meant was that the excellence of Agniveers will be utilised in whichever field they choose after completing service in the defence forces. He also accused the “toolkit gang” of twisting his remark to insult the “Karmveer”.

    The Centre on Tuesday announced the Agnipath scheme for four-year contractual military recruitment that has sparked protests in many parts of the country and is being questioned by many parties.

    The soldiers to be recruited under this plan will be called Agniveers.

    Addressing a press conference at the BJP office here, Vijayvargiya, while describing the benefits of the scheme, said the youth would develop qualities like discipline and obedience, which is part of army’s training.

    “In army training, first is discipline and second is following orders. He (Agniveer) will undergo training and when he comes out (of the armed forces) after four years of service, he would have Rs 11 lakh in his hand. And he would also walk around with the badge of Agniveer on his chest,” he said.

    “If I have to recruit security (personnel) here in this BJP office, I will give priority to Agniveer,” the senior BJP leader added.

    A video of his statement went viral on social media platforms.

    जिस महान सेना की वीर गाथाएँ कह सकने में समूचा शब्दकोश असमर्थ हो, जिनके पराक्रम का डंका समस्त विश्व में गुंजायमान हो, उस भारतीय सैनिक को किसी राजनीतिक दफ़्तर की ‘चौकीदारी’ करने का न्यौता, उसे देने वाले को ही मुबारक।भारतीय सेना माँ भारती की सेवा का माध्यम है, महज एक ‘नौकरी’ नहीं। pic.twitter.com/Ehq0rwx0zV
    — Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) June 19, 2022
    Tagging the video in his tweet, Varun Gandhi questioned Vijayvargiya and said army is a medium to serve ‘Maa Bharti’ (mother India). “Our great army’s heroic tales cannot be expressed with mere words and its valour echoes in the entire world,” Gandhi said, accusing the BJP national general secretary of offering the job of a “chowkidar” (watchman) to soldiers after retirement.

    “Indian Army is a means to serve mother India, not merely a job,” Gandhi said.

    Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Kejriwal termed it an insult of the youths and army personnel of the country.

    “Do not disrespect the youth and army personnel of the country so much. The youth of our country work hard day and night to pass the physical exam and clear test because they want to serve the country and not because they want to be a guard outside the BJP office,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

    ALSO READ | There will be no rollback of Agnipath military recruitment scheme: Lt Gen Anil Puri

    K K Mishra, chairman of the media department of Madhya Pradesh Congress, also criticised Vijayvargiya for the statement. “Agniveers, who will be recruited (in the armed forces) only for four years, will be later appointed as security guards at the BJP office. This is a big insult of the unemployed youth and the valour of the armed forces. BJP should apologise,” he said in a tweet.

    Several other social media users also slammed the senior BJP leader for his statement.

    However, Vijayvargiya later blamed the toolkit gang for the controversy.

    “Agniveers who complete their service under the Agnipath scheme will definitely be trained and committed to their duties. This excellence will be utilised in the fields they choose after completing their service in the army. This was what I clearly meant,” he said in a tweet.

    He alleged that people associated with the ‘toolkit gang’ were trying to insult the “Karmveers” by distorting his statement. “This would be an insult to the Karmveers of the country. The nation is well aware of the conspiracies of this toolkit gang against the Rashtraveer and Dharmveer,” he added.

    READ HERE | Agnipath: All you need to know about Army recruitment scheme that has India on the boil

  • There will be no rollback of Agnipath military recruitment scheme: Lt Gen Anil Puri

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: Amid protests and agitations against the newly-launched Agnipath recruitment scheme for the military, Lt Gen Anil Puri, Additional Secretary, Dept of Military Affairs, on June 19 clarified the scheme will be implemented and there is no question of a rollback. He also clarified that all recruitment will be through the Agnipath scheme only.

    Lt Gen Puri was addressing a joint military briefing on the Agnipath recruitment scheme with Air Marshal SK Jha, Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and LG C Bansi Ponnappa.

    He also stated that the Agniveers would get the same allowance in areas like Siachen and other areas which are applicable to the regular soldiers serving at present. “No discrimination against them in service conditions,” he added.

    “Coming to the rollback of the scheme. Why should it be rolled back? It is the only progressive step to making the country young. Why is it being made young? We are tinkering with Desh ki Raksha (national security). There is no space. I will give you an example. Do you know how many casualties are reported just for health purposes from high-altitude areas? Do read about it, then you would come to know why being (sic) young is important,” the officer said.

    Calling this reform ‘long-pending’, Lt Gen Puri said, “We want a mix of josh and hosh and that is why we wanted to reduce the age profile. The average age is 32 years at present and we want to reduce it as per the recommendations of the Kargil review committee and Arun Singh committee report,” Lt Gen Puri said.

    Referring to the provisions of reservations in different ministries, Lt Gen Puri said that announcements were pre-planned and not in reaction to the arson and agitation which took place after the Agnipath scheme announcement. He also clarified that all recruitment will be through the Agnipath scheme only.

    He said around 17,600 people from the three services are taking premature retirement from the three services every year. “No one ever tried to ask them what they will do after retirement,” he stated. 

    On the protests and acts of violence happening across the country, Lt General Puri said, “Indian Army’s foundation is discipline. No space for arson, vandalism. Every individual will have to take a pledge that they were not part of protests or vandalism”. He said that the individual against whom an FIR is lodged would not be allowed to join the forces. All candidates will have to give a written pledge that they did not indulge in any arson/violence, he added.

    Implementation plans announced

    “Registration process for the first batch of Agniveers will start from June 24 and from July 24, phase 1 online examination process will begin”, said Air Marshal Jha. He informed that the first batch would be enrolled by December and training would commence by December 30.

    Talking about the recruitment process in Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said the first batch of naval Agniveers will start reaching the training establishment INS Chilka in Odisha from November 21. He also made clear that both males and females will be recruited through the Agnipath scheme.

    “The Indian Navy has 30 women officers at present sailing on different Indian Navy ships. We have decided that under the Agnipath scheme, we will recruit women also. They will be deployed on warships,” the Navy official added.

    “By December, we will get the first batch of 25,000 Agniveers and the second batch would be inducted around February 2023 making it 40,000,” said Lt Gen Bansi Ponappa.

    Lt Gen Puri that the Centre will start with the recruitment of 46,000 Army aspirants to ‘analyse’ the scheme. “In next 4 to 5 years, our intake (of soldiers) will be 50,000-60,000 and will increase to 90,000 to 1 lakh subsequently. We’ve started small at 46,000 to analyse the scheme… and to build up infra capacity,” he said.

    “Our intake of ‘Agniveers’ will go up to 1.25 lakhs in near future and will not remain at 46,000 which is the present figure”, the officer added.

    READ HERE | Agnipath: All you need to know about Army recruitment scheme that has India on the boil

    (With inputs from PTI and ANI)

  • Recognise fake patriots; the country is with you: Priyanka Gandhi to youths protesting Agnipath

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Urging the youth to recognise “fake nationalists”, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on June 19 assured her party’s full support to those peacefully protesting the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the armed forces.

    She made the remarks as Congress MPs and leaders sat on a ‘Satyagraha’ at Jantar Mantar here in solidarity with the youths protesting the controversial scheme.

    “There is no bigger patriot than you. I want to tell you, open your eyes and recognise the fake nationalists and fake patriots. The entire country and the Congress are with you in your struggle,” the Congress general secretary said in her remarks aimed at youths protesting the Agnipath scheme.

    In her address, she also quoted lines from Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s Hindi poem ‘Agnipath’ to urge the youth to persevere and keep struggling peacefully. “The name of the poem has been given to a scheme that will destroy the youth. This scheme will destroy the Army. Recognise this government’s intentions. In a democratic way and by walking on the path of truth and non-violence, bring down this government. Your objective should be (to ensure) that such a government is formed in the country which shows real patriotism,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

    आर्मी भर्ती की तैयारी करने वाले ग्रामीण युवाओं का दर्द समझिए3 साल से भर्ती नहीं आईदौड़-दौड़ के युवाओं के पैरों में छाले पड़ गए, वे निराश-हताश हैंयुवा एयरफोर्स भर्ती के रिजल्ट व नियुक्ति का इंतजार कर रहे थेसरकार ने उनकी स्थाई भर्ती, रैंक, पेंशन, रुकी भर्ती: सब छीन लिया pic.twitter.com/p5aIiDmIQb
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 18, 2022
    Unveiling the Agnipath scheme, the government had said youths between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 years would be inducted for a four-year tenure and 25 per cent of the recruits will be retained for regular service. The youths to be recruited under the new scheme would be called ‘Agniveer’.

    ALSO READ | Agnipath protests: Centre, BJP-ruled states try to allay youths’ concerns with job promise

    The upper age limit was raised to 23 years after violent protests against the new model for enrolment of soldiers into the Army, Navy and Air Force erupted in parts of the country.

    A major objective of the scheme is to bring down the average age of military personnel and cut the ballooning salary and pension bills. The announcement of the new scheme came against the backdrop of recruitment in the military being stalled over the coronavirus pandemic for over two years.

    EXPLAINER | Agnipath: All you need to know about Army recruitment scheme that has India on the boil