New Delhi: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday said the JD(U)’s demand for review of Agnipath scheme is “100 per cent correct” and stressed that the scheme should have been withdrawn earlier. Earlier in the day, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi told reporters here that the party has demanded a review of the Agnipath scheme, and will “pursue” the caste census issue. Speaking to PTI Videos, Singh said, “Agniveer is betrayal with Mother India and the Army. The prime minister should have withdrawn it earlier.” “Earlier a jawan was trained for a year but under this scheme (Agnipath), you reduced the training period to six months. Every youth is ready to sacrifice his or her life for the country. But you are weakening the army. This demand from JDU is 100 per cent correct,” the AAP leader added. In June 2022, the government rolled out the Agnipath recruitment scheme for short-term induction of personnel with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three armed services. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States The scheme provides for recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.
Tag: Agnipath scheme
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi writes to Prez Droupadi Murmu on Agnipath scheme, urges her to intervene
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu against the Agnipath scheme, alleging there is “discrimination” in the nature and extent of benefits given to the families of slain soldiers. Urging the president to intervene, Gandhi said an “exception is warranted in this case” as she is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of India and the issue affects national security. In his two-page letter to the President of India, Gandhi said he is writing to her with an appeal to provide ‘nyya’ (justice) to Agniveers, who lay down their lives in service to the nation. “There can be no clearer illustration of the fundamental flaw in the Agnipath scheme – the creation of a ‘lesser’ cadre of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks with lower pay, benefits and prospects,” he said while sharing his letter to President Murmu on the scheme. “The discrimination in the nature and extent of benefits accorded to the families of our slain Agniveers, compared to regular soldiers warrants your urgent attention,” Gandhi said in his letter. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States “This anyaay – injustice – is why the Congress Party and our INDIA allies have strongly opposed the Agnipath scheme, and have promised to repeal it if we form the government,” the former Congress chief said. In the letter, Gandhi said, “I request you to intervene. I recognise that a President does not generally interfere in matters of policy, which are the domain of the elected government. “However, I believe an exception is warranted in this case, given both the seriousness of this issue, and your unique position. You are the Supreme Commander of India’s Armed Forces. You have taken an oath to devote yourself to the well-being of the people of India.” “Is this discrimination against our Agniveer martyrs not a risk to our national security? Is it not a grave injustice to our youth who bravely risk their lives to serve?” Gandhi asked in his letter.
“These pressing questions can only be answered in the affirmative.
“Therefore, I appeal to you to use your distinguished office to do nyaay – justice to Agniveer soldiers who lay down their lives, by ensuring that they receive the same benefits as any soldier who makes the highest sacrifice for our motherland,” he said.
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Agnipath scheme: Punjab CM Mann assures support to Army recruitment drives
By PTI
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday assured complete backing to the Army’s Agnipath recruitment drives after the force’s zonal office said it will recommend its headquarters to “hold in abeyance” its recruitment rallies, citing lack of support from local authorities.
“We are constrained to bring to your kind attention that the support from the local civil administration is vacillating with no clear-cut commitments. They are usually citing their inadequacies due to lack of directions from the state government at Chandigarh or lack of funds,” Army’s Jalandhar Cantt zonal recruitment officer had written to Punjab Chief Secretary VK Janjua and Principal Secretary (Employment Generation) Kumar Rahul.
“We are now thus compelled to bring to your kind notice that unless clear-cut commitments are not received in writing on issues raised, we would be taking up case with Army Headquarters to hold in abeyance all future recruitment rallies and procedures in the state of Punjab, alternately conduct rallies in neighbouring states,” the letter said.
Reacting to the development, the Punjab chief minister on Wednesday tweeted that all deputy commissioners have been directed to provide complete support to the Army authorities for recruitment drives.
“Any laxity shall be viewed seriously,” the CM tweeted, adding that every effort will be made to ensure that the maximum number of candidates are selected from the state.
Meanwhile, state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema replying to a question on the Army’s letter to the state government said the issue is not in his knowledge. He said people from Punjab had been getting recruited into the Army. “But we opposed the ‘Agniveer’ scheme earlier also and we are opposing it even today,” said Cheema.
The Army’s zonal officer earlier in the letter had said the support from the local administration for recruitment rallies under the Agnipath scheme is “vacillating”.
The officer asserted that the assistance from the local civil administration is an inescapable requirement to conduct an incident free and successful recruitment rally.
The letter had said there was a need for police assistance for law and order, security, crowd control and essential barricading to enable controlled and smooth entry of candidates to the rally ground. It had also said cited the need for medical support during the drive besides basic amenities of rain shelters, water, mobile portable toilets and food for prospective candidates.
The Centre had recently unveiled the Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of the youth aged between 17 and a half and 21 in the Army, Navy and the Air Force, largely on a four-year short-term contractual basis. The youth recruited under the scheme will be known as “Agniveers”.
After the completion of the four-year tenure, 25 per cent of the recruits from each batch will be offered regular service.
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday assured complete backing to the Army’s Agnipath recruitment drives after the force’s zonal office said it will recommend its headquarters to “hold in abeyance” its recruitment rallies, citing lack of support from local authorities.
“We are constrained to bring to your kind attention that the support from the local civil administration is vacillating with no clear-cut commitments. They are usually citing their inadequacies due to lack of directions from the state government at Chandigarh or lack of funds,” Army’s Jalandhar Cantt zonal recruitment officer had written to Punjab Chief Secretary VK Janjua and Principal Secretary (Employment Generation) Kumar Rahul.
“We are now thus compelled to bring to your kind notice that unless clear-cut commitments are not received in writing on issues raised, we would be taking up case with Army Headquarters to hold in abeyance all future recruitment rallies and procedures in the state of Punjab, alternately conduct rallies in neighbouring states,” the letter said.
Reacting to the development, the Punjab chief minister on Wednesday tweeted that all deputy commissioners have been directed to provide complete support to the Army authorities for recruitment drives.
“Any laxity shall be viewed seriously,” the CM tweeted, adding that every effort will be made to ensure that the maximum number of candidates are selected from the state.
Meanwhile, state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema replying to a question on the Army’s letter to the state government said the issue is not in his knowledge. He said people from Punjab had been getting recruited into the Army. “But we opposed the ‘Agniveer’ scheme earlier also and we are opposing it even today,” said Cheema.
The Army’s zonal officer earlier in the letter had said the support from the local administration for recruitment rallies under the Agnipath scheme is “vacillating”.
The officer asserted that the assistance from the local civil administration is an inescapable requirement to conduct an incident free and successful recruitment rally.
The letter had said there was a need for police assistance for law and order, security, crowd control and essential barricading to enable controlled and smooth entry of candidates to the rally ground. It had also said cited the need for medical support during the drive besides basic amenities of rain shelters, water, mobile portable toilets and food for prospective candidates.
The Centre had recently unveiled the Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of the youth aged between 17 and a half and 21 in the Army, Navy and the Air Force, largely on a four-year short-term contractual basis. The youth recruited under the scheme will be known as “Agniveers”.
After the completion of the four-year tenure, 25 per cent of the recruits from each batch will be offered regular service.
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India to continue to recruit Gorkha soldiers under the Agnipath Scheme
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Amidst Nepal’s recent stand to put on hold the recruitment of the youth of Nepal joining the Indian Army’s Gorkha Infantry regiments India has made it clear that it will continue the recruitment of Nepalese youth under the Agnipath Scheme. Nepal has announced to put hold on recruitment of its youths till further order.
Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson Indian foreign ministry said, “We have been recruiting Gorkha soldiers into the Indian Army for a long time. And we look forward to continuing to recruit Gorkha soldiers in the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme,”
A recruitment rally of the Indian Army was planned in Butwal City of the Himalayan country from August 25. A day ago, Nepalese foreign minister Narayan Khadka and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava held a meeting to discuss the issues. In the meeting, the Nepalese side informed him to wait on the plan to recruit Nepali youths under the new scheme.
The minister told the ambassador that “if the Nepalese youths are to be recruited for 4-year with no pensions, there is a need to discuss the matter with all political parties in Nepal and build consensus. Till further decision it should be put on hold.”
It was in June that the Indian Government announced the new recruitment scheme under which youths between age 17 and a half and 21 years are to be inducted under Agnipath Scheme for a period of four years with 25 percent getting inducted permanently after it. The rest of the people would not be entitled to pension.
Prior to the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, the Nepalese youths were being recruited under a Tripartite Agreement between India, Nepal and Britain which was signed in 1947, allowing continued recruitment of Nepalese into the armies of India and Britain.
The Tripartite Treaty called the ‘Memorandum of Agreement on Recruitment of Gorkha Troops’ was signed on May 1, 1947, and ratified on November 9, 1947.
Later in 1950, a Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed between the two countries which reinforced the right of Nepalese citizens to work in India and for equal national treatment.
There was no mention of any terms of engagement or other benefits in the annexure.
A source in the Indian Army said that the Agnipath Scheme is neither violating the Tripartite Agreement nor discriminating anyone. “The Gorkhas would get the same salaries and facilities as what their Indian counterparts would.”
The Indian Army was to hold recruitment rallies in Nepal in two phases between August 25 and September 7 in Butwal and September 18 onwards in Dharan.
At present around 25,000 Nepal Domicile Gorkhas are serving in the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiments in its 43 battalions which are composed of Indian soldiers as well as those recruited from Nepal.
The development has taken place ahead of Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande’s planned five-day official visit to Nepal on September 4. During the visit Gen Pande will be meeting with the country’s top civil and military leadership. Also, it is to carry forward the tradition of the two Armies and General Pande will receive the title of honorary General of Nepal Army to be conferred by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
As per the tradition the exchange of visits of the army chiefs of Nepal and India takes place to confer the title of honorary General to both the army chiefs.
NEW DELHI: Amidst Nepal’s recent stand to put on hold the recruitment of the youth of Nepal joining the Indian Army’s Gorkha Infantry regiments India has made it clear that it will continue the recruitment of Nepalese youth under the Agnipath Scheme. Nepal has announced to put hold on recruitment of its youths till further order.
Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson Indian foreign ministry said, “We have been recruiting Gorkha soldiers into the Indian Army for a long time. And we look forward to continuing to recruit Gorkha soldiers in the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme,”
A recruitment rally of the Indian Army was planned in Butwal City of the Himalayan country from August 25. A day ago, Nepalese foreign minister Narayan Khadka and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava held a meeting to discuss the issues. In the meeting, the Nepalese side informed him to wait on the plan to recruit Nepali youths under the new scheme.
The minister told the ambassador that “if the Nepalese youths are to be recruited for 4-year with no pensions, there is a need to discuss the matter with all political parties in Nepal and build consensus. Till further decision it should be put on hold.”
It was in June that the Indian Government announced the new recruitment scheme under which youths between age 17 and a half and 21 years are to be inducted under Agnipath Scheme for a period of four years with 25 percent getting inducted permanently after it. The rest of the people would not be entitled to pension.
Prior to the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, the Nepalese youths were being recruited under a Tripartite Agreement between India, Nepal and Britain which was signed in 1947, allowing continued recruitment of Nepalese into the armies of India and Britain.
The Tripartite Treaty called the ‘Memorandum of Agreement on Recruitment of Gorkha Troops’ was signed on May 1, 1947, and ratified on November 9, 1947.
Later in 1950, a Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed between the two countries which reinforced the right of Nepalese citizens to work in India and for equal national treatment.
There was no mention of any terms of engagement or other benefits in the annexure.
A source in the Indian Army said that the Agnipath Scheme is neither violating the Tripartite Agreement nor discriminating anyone. “The Gorkhas would get the same salaries and facilities as what their Indian counterparts would.”
The Indian Army was to hold recruitment rallies in Nepal in two phases between August 25 and September 7 in Butwal and September 18 onwards in Dharan.
At present around 25,000 Nepal Domicile Gorkhas are serving in the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiments in its 43 battalions which are composed of Indian soldiers as well as those recruited from Nepal.
The development has taken place ahead of Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande’s planned five-day official visit to Nepal on September 4. During the visit Gen Pande will be meeting with the country’s top civil and military leadership. Also, it is to carry forward the tradition of the two Armies and General Pande will receive the title of honorary General of Nepal Army to be conferred by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
As per the tradition the exchange of visits of the army chiefs of Nepal and India takes place to confer the title of honorary General to both the army chiefs.
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Ex-Army Colonel moves Delhi HC seeking quashing of Agnipath scheme
By IANS
NEW DELHI: A former Army Colonel on Thursday approached the Delhi High Court seeking to set aside the Agnipath scheme of short-term recruitment into the armed forces and not to cancel the selection of the candidates who have already cleared the recruitment exam for the Indian Air Force in 2019.
The PIL filed by Col. Amit Kumar, who opted for voluntary retirement last year and has enrolled as an advocate registered at the Bar Council of Delhi, was listed before the division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad.
Hearing the plea, the bench listed the matter for hearing on August 25, clubbing it along with other similar cases.
It may be noted that the Supreme Court had recently transferred all the pleas challenging the Agnipath scheme to the Delhi High Court, where similar challenges against the scheme are already pending.
Through the PIL, the petitioner sought directions to the Centre and all authorities under it to issue interview letters/selection letters to all candidates who had previously cleared the selection process for entry into to the Army, Navy and Air Force as soldiers/sailors/airmen.
The plea contended that the Agnipath scheme is unenforceable as it violates Section 193A of the Army Act, 1950 as it was never tabled before any House of the Parliament.
“The petition relates to the Agnipath scheme which is a new scheme being implemented by the Central government, especially the Ministry of Defence, for recruitment of soldiers/sailors/airmen into the Army/Navy/Air Force. The scheme compromises on national security and future of youth, which in turn violates the fundamental rights of the citizens,” the plea read.
“This scheme has caused a lot of resentment among the force veterans and public alike due to a large number of loopholes in it. The resentment went to the extent of violent protests causing damage to public property and the state governments of some states have also passed resolutions against it.
“The scheme on the first instance seems to put national security at stake and is harmful to the future of the youth, which surely affects the fundamental rights of the citizens. The scheme suffers from lack of pilot test, lack of efficient training, weaponisation of youth which can lead to the internal security threat, lack of financial security to soldiers, exploitation of 75 per cent Agniveers after four years etc.,” it added.
So far, three other pleas related to the scheme are pending before the high court.
NEW DELHI: A former Army Colonel on Thursday approached the Delhi High Court seeking to set aside the Agnipath scheme of short-term recruitment into the armed forces and not to cancel the selection of the candidates who have already cleared the recruitment exam for the Indian Air Force in 2019.
The PIL filed by Col. Amit Kumar, who opted for voluntary retirement last year and has enrolled as an advocate registered at the Bar Council of Delhi, was listed before the division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad.
Hearing the plea, the bench listed the matter for hearing on August 25, clubbing it along with other similar cases.
It may be noted that the Supreme Court had recently transferred all the pleas challenging the Agnipath scheme to the Delhi High Court, where similar challenges against the scheme are already pending.
Through the PIL, the petitioner sought directions to the Centre and all authorities under it to issue interview letters/selection letters to all candidates who had previously cleared the selection process for entry into to the Army, Navy and Air Force as soldiers/sailors/airmen.
The plea contended that the Agnipath scheme is unenforceable as it violates Section 193A of the Army Act, 1950 as it was never tabled before any House of the Parliament.
“The petition relates to the Agnipath scheme which is a new scheme being implemented by the Central government, especially the Ministry of Defence, for recruitment of soldiers/sailors/airmen into the Army/Navy/Air Force. The scheme compromises on national security and future of youth, which in turn violates the fundamental rights of the citizens,” the plea read.
“This scheme has caused a lot of resentment among the force veterans and public alike due to a large number of loopholes in it. The resentment went to the extent of violent protests causing damage to public property and the state governments of some states have also passed resolutions against it.
“The scheme on the first instance seems to put national security at stake and is harmful to the future of the youth, which surely affects the fundamental rights of the citizens. The scheme suffers from lack of pilot test, lack of efficient training, weaponisation of youth which can lead to the internal security threat, lack of financial security to soldiers, exploitation of 75 per cent Agniveers after four years etc.,” it added.
So far, three other pleas related to the scheme are pending before the high court.
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Not allowed to discuss Agnipath, 3 Opposition MPs stage walkout of defence panel meet
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Opposition members on Friday staged a walkout from a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence alleging they were not allowed to discuss the Agnipath scheme, sources said.
They said members of Congress and BSP urged committee chairman Jual Oram to allow a discussion on the Agnipath scheme, arguing it has huge implications and required parliamentary scrutiny but were denied from doing so.
They added that Congress MPs K C Venugopal and Uttam Kumar Reddy, besides BSP’s Danish Ali, who are members of the panel, argued with the chairman that the Agnipath scheme has already been discussed in the Consultative Committee on Defence and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the three service chiefs have made a presentation before it.
The members also learned to have argued with the chairman that not allowing a discussion on Agnipath amounted to an insult to Parliament and not informing the committee about the scheme is breach of privilege. They urged him to list the issue for discussion in the next meeting, but the chairman denied permission, the sources said.
The sources added that Oram is learnt to have said that the issues to be discussed at the Parliamentary Standing Committee meetings are decided in advance at the beginning of the year and hence this request cannot be entertained now.
After almost half an hour of discussion in the panel meeting, the three opposition members staged a walkout in protest.
Issues concerning ordnance factory boards and DRDO had been listed for discussion at the meeting.
NEW DELHI: Opposition members on Friday staged a walkout from a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence alleging they were not allowed to discuss the Agnipath scheme, sources said.
They said members of Congress and BSP urged committee chairman Jual Oram to allow a discussion on the Agnipath scheme, arguing it has huge implications and required parliamentary scrutiny but were denied from doing so.
They added that Congress MPs K C Venugopal and Uttam Kumar Reddy, besides BSP’s Danish Ali, who are members of the panel, argued with the chairman that the Agnipath scheme has already been discussed in the Consultative Committee on Defence and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the three service chiefs have made a presentation before it.
The members also learned to have argued with the chairman that not allowing a discussion on Agnipath amounted to an insult to Parliament and not informing the committee about the scheme is breach of privilege. They urged him to list the issue for discussion in the next meeting, but the chairman denied permission, the sources said.
The sources added that Oram is learnt to have said that the issues to be discussed at the Parliamentary Standing Committee meetings are decided in advance at the beginning of the year and hence this request cannot be entertained now.
After almost half an hour of discussion in the panel meeting, the three opposition members staged a walkout in protest.
Issues concerning ordnance factory boards and DRDO had been listed for discussion at the meeting.
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Delhi High Court to hear pleas challenging Centre’s Agnipath Scheme on July 20
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Tuesday said it would hear on July 20 several pleas challenging the Centre’s Agnipath Scheme.
The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths in the defence forces Army between the age of 17-and-a-half and 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.
Protests have erupted in several states against the scheme. Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022.
The high court on Tuesday was hearing an application filed in a pending petition which challenges the Indian Navy’s employment advertisement reserving its right for shortlisting applicants by increasing the cut-off marks obtained by them in class 12th examination, contrary to the already laid down eligibility criteria in the advertisement, after their applications were received for recruitment as Person Below Officer Rank (PBOR) in the force.
A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that similar matters challenging the Agnipath scheme are already pending before the high court and they be heard together, The bench directed that all such petitions be listed together on July 20.
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Agnipath scheme: IAF receives over 1.83 lakh applications in 6 days
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received over 1.83 lakh applications under the Agnipath recruitment scheme within six days of the registration process, an official communication said.
The registration process that began on June 24 had seen the filing of 94,281 applications by Monday, and 56,960 applications by Sunday.
After the scheme was unveiled on June 14, violent protests against it rocked several states for nearly a week, and several opposition parties demanded its rollback.
“So far, 1,83,634 future Agniveers have applied on the registration website https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in Registration closes on July 5, 2022,” the IAF said on Twitter.
So far, 183634 future #Agniveers have applied on the registration website https://t.co/kVQxOwkUczIf you want to be an #Agniveer too, apply soon.Registration closes on 05 July 2022.#BhartiyaVayuSenaKeAgniveer pic.twitter.com/EV2yCatzII
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 29, 2022
Under the 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, while 25 per cent of them will be subsequently inducted for regular service.The government had on June 16 increased the upper age limit for recruitment under the scheme to 23 years from 21 for the year 2022, and subsequently announced a slew of placatory steps, such as a preference for Agniveers in central paramilitary forces and defence public sector undertakings upon their retirement.
Many BJP-ruled states also declared the ‘Agniveers’ — as the soldiers inducted under the Agnipath scheme will be known — will be accorded priority in induction into state police forces.
The armed forces have, however, made it clear those who had indulged in violent protests and arson against the new recruitment scheme will not be inducted.
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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.