News Analysis India

Tag: Agniveers

  • 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.

  • President Murmu to lead nation in celebrating 74th R-Day; six Agniveers to take part in parade 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Six ‘Agniveers’ will be part of the Navy’s marching contingent during the 74th Republic Day celebrations on Thursday when the ceremonial parade will take place on Kartavya Path amid patriotic fervour.

    This was stated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on the eve of the celebrations.

    President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating the Republic Day, and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at the ceremonial event.

    The military assets which will be displayed during the parade include made-in-India equipment, showing the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, officials had earlier said.

    Main battle tank Arjun, Nag Missile System (NAMIS) and K-9 Vajra will also be showcased, the defence ministry said in the statement.

    “The Indian Navy contingent will comprise 144 young sailors led by Lt Cdr Disha Amrith as the contingent commander. For the first time ever, the marching contingent consists three women and six Agniveers.”

    “It will be followed by the naval tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof’. It will showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy, ‘Nari Shakti’ and key indigenously designed and built assets under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the statement said.

    The ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial and paying tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

    ALSO READ | India among fastest-growing economies due to Centre’s pro-active interventions: President Murmu

    Thereafter, the prime minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.

    As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.

    Among, the many firsts, the ceremonial salute will be given with 105-mm Indian field guns.

    It replaces the vintage 25-pounder guns, reflecting upon the growing ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

    Four Mi-17 1V/V5 helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit will shower flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path, the statement said.

    The parade will commence with the president taking the salute.

    The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, a second-generation Army officer.

    Maj Gen Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.

    Three Param Vir Chakra awardees and three Ashok Chkara awardees will also take part in the parade, and a “veterans tableau” will also be part of it with the theme — ‘Towards India’s Amrit Kaal with a Resolve of Veterans’ Commitment’.

    For the first time, a combined band and marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces will be taking part in the ceremonial parade.

    The contingent will consist of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces led by Col Elkharasawy.

    The first contingent in the uniform of the 61 Cavalry will be led by Capt Raizada Shaurya Bali.

    The 61 Cavalry is the only serving active horse cavalry regiment in the world, “with the amalgamation of all the state horse units,” it said.

    The Indian Air Force contingent will comprise 144 air warriors and four officers, led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy.

    The Air Force tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries’, will display a rotating globe highlighting IAF’s expanded reach, whereby it has been able to provide humanitarian assistance across borders, as also exercises conducted with friendly countries.

    The Republic Day celebrations will take place on the revamped Central Vista avenue and will be the first at the ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath was renamed to Kartavya Path last year.

    This year, invites have been sent to common people from all walks of the society such as ‘Shramyogis’ involved in construction of Central Vista, Kartavya Path, New Parliament Building, milk, vegetable vendors, and street vendors etc.

    These special invitees will be prominently seated at Kartavya Path, the statement said.

    “Building on last year’s celebrations, in the 75th year of the Independence, celebrated as the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the celebrations this year shall witness zeal, enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and ‘janbhagidari’, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

    A total of 23 tableaux — 17 from states and Union territories and six from various ministries and departments — depicting India’s vibrant cultural heritage, and economic and social progress will be part of the parade on the Kartavya Path.

    Other states and Union Territories which have been selected to showcase their tableaux on the Katavya Path on January 26 include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

    This year the celebrations are being held over a span of more than a week, starting with the 126th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

    A one-of-a-kind Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival ‘Aadi Shaurya – Parv Parakram Ka’ was organised here on January.

    The events will culminate on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs’ Day, the statement said.

    This year, the Republic Day celebrations will see attractive performances by dancers from Vande Bharatam group from across the country, tales of bravery by ‘Veer Gatha 2.0’ participants, melodious performances by school bands at the National War Memorial, largest-ever drone show and 3-D anamorphic projection, it said.

    Defence Ministry officials on January 18 had said that the government had put 32,000 tickets on sale online for the masses.

    And, for the first time, all official invites for the ceremonial event will be sent online, they had said.

    “The Republic Day Parade, which will begin at around 10:30 am, will be a unique mix of the country’s military prowess and cultural diversity, depicting the country’s growing indigenous capabilities, ‘Nari Shakti’ and emergence of a ‘New India’,” the statement said.

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase one tableau and equipment.

    The theme of the tableau is ‘Securing Nation with Effective Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising Threats’, the statement said.

    Indigenously-developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a modular 8X8 wheeled combat platform carried on a 70-ton trailer will be displayed by the DRDO in the form of equipment, it added.

    Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are conferred on children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievement in the fields of bravery, art & culture, sports, innovation and social service.

    Eleven winning children, in jeeps, will be driven down Kartavya Path, it said.

    Fifty aircraft will take part in the 74th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path that will include aerial display by nine Rafale and the Navy’s IL-38 which will be showcased at the event for the first and perhaps the last time, a senior official had earlier said.

    NEW DELHI: Six ‘Agniveers’ will be part of the Navy’s marching contingent during the 74th Republic Day celebrations on Thursday when the ceremonial parade will take place on Kartavya Path amid patriotic fervour.

    This was stated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on the eve of the celebrations.

    President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating the Republic Day, and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at the ceremonial event.

    The military assets which will be displayed during the parade include made-in-India equipment, showing the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, officials had earlier said.

    Main battle tank Arjun, Nag Missile System (NAMIS) and K-9 Vajra will also be showcased, the defence ministry said in the statement.

    “The Indian Navy contingent will comprise 144 young sailors led by Lt Cdr Disha Amrith as the contingent commander. For the first time ever, the marching contingent consists three women and six Agniveers.”

    “It will be followed by the naval tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof’. It will showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy, ‘Nari Shakti’ and key indigenously designed and built assets under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the statement said.

    The ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial and paying tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

    ALSO READ | India among fastest-growing economies due to Centre’s pro-active interventions: President Murmu

    Thereafter, the prime minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.

    As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.

    Among, the many firsts, the ceremonial salute will be given with 105-mm Indian field guns.

    It replaces the vintage 25-pounder guns, reflecting upon the growing ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

    Four Mi-17 1V/V5 helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit will shower flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path, the statement said.

    The parade will commence with the president taking the salute.

    The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, a second-generation Army officer.

    Maj Gen Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.

    Three Param Vir Chakra awardees and three Ashok Chkara awardees will also take part in the parade, and a “veterans tableau” will also be part of it with the theme — ‘Towards India’s Amrit Kaal with a Resolve of Veterans’ Commitment’.

    For the first time, a combined band and marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces will be taking part in the ceremonial parade.

    The contingent will consist of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces led by Col Elkharasawy.

    The first contingent in the uniform of the 61 Cavalry will be led by Capt Raizada Shaurya Bali.

    The 61 Cavalry is the only serving active horse cavalry regiment in the world, “with the amalgamation of all the state horse units,” it said.

    The Indian Air Force contingent will comprise 144 air warriors and four officers, led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy.

    The Air Force tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries’, will display a rotating globe highlighting IAF’s expanded reach, whereby it has been able to provide humanitarian assistance across borders, as also exercises conducted with friendly countries.

    The Republic Day celebrations will take place on the revamped Central Vista avenue and will be the first at the ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath was renamed to Kartavya Path last year.

    This year, invites have been sent to common people from all walks of the society such as ‘Shramyogis’ involved in construction of Central Vista, Kartavya Path, New Parliament Building, milk, vegetable vendors, and street vendors etc.

    These special invitees will be prominently seated at Kartavya Path, the statement said.

    “Building on last year’s celebrations, in the 75th year of the Independence, celebrated as the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the celebrations this year shall witness zeal, enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and ‘janbhagidari’, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

    A total of 23 tableaux — 17 from states and Union territories and six from various ministries and departments — depicting India’s vibrant cultural heritage, and economic and social progress will be part of the parade on the Kartavya Path.

    Other states and Union Territories which have been selected to showcase their tableaux on the Katavya Path on January 26 include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

    This year the celebrations are being held over a span of more than a week, starting with the 126th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

    A one-of-a-kind Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival ‘Aadi Shaurya – Parv Parakram Ka’ was organised here on January.

    The events will culminate on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs’ Day, the statement said.

    This year, the Republic Day celebrations will see attractive performances by dancers from Vande Bharatam group from across the country, tales of bravery by ‘Veer Gatha 2.0’ participants, melodious performances by school bands at the National War Memorial, largest-ever drone show and 3-D anamorphic projection, it said.

    Defence Ministry officials on January 18 had said that the government had put 32,000 tickets on sale online for the masses.

    And, for the first time, all official invites for the ceremonial event will be sent online, they had said.

    “The Republic Day Parade, which will begin at around 10:30 am, will be a unique mix of the country’s military prowess and cultural diversity, depicting the country’s growing indigenous capabilities, ‘Nari Shakti’ and emergence of a ‘New India’,” the statement said.

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase one tableau and equipment.

    The theme of the tableau is ‘Securing Nation with Effective Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising Threats’, the statement said.

    Indigenously-developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a modular 8X8 wheeled combat platform carried on a 70-ton trailer will be displayed by the DRDO in the form of equipment, it added.

    Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are conferred on children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievement in the fields of bravery, art & culture, sports, innovation and social service.

    Eleven winning children, in jeeps, will be driven down Kartavya Path, it said.

    Fifty aircraft will take part in the 74th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path that will include aerial display by nine Rafale and the Navy’s IL-38 which will be showcased at the event for the first and perhaps the last time, a senior official had earlier said.

  • Army inks pacts with 11 banks to provide banking facilities to Agniveers

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has said it has signed agreements with 11 banks to provide banking facilities to Agniveers after their enrolment, the defence ministry said on Saturday.

    In June, the government announced the ‘Agnipath’ scheme for the three services to recruit youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

    For 2022, the upper age limit has been extended to 23 years. The three services are currently undertaking the recruitment process under the new scheme. The first batch of Agniveers will be joining Army training Centres by January next year.

    “The Indian Army has signed historic MoU with 11 Banks viz State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank for providing banking facilities to Agniveers on enrollment,” the defence ministry said.

    The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on Friday.

    “The features and benefits offered under Agniveer salary package are similar to the defence salary package,” it said in a statement.

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has said it has signed agreements with 11 banks to provide banking facilities to Agniveers after their enrolment, the defence ministry said on Saturday.

    In June, the government announced the ‘Agnipath’ scheme for the three services to recruit youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

    For 2022, the upper age limit has been extended to 23 years. The three services are currently undertaking the recruitment process under the new scheme. The first batch of Agniveers will be joining Army training Centres by January next year.

    “The Indian Army has signed historic MoU with 11 Banks viz State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank for providing banking facilities to Agniveers on enrollment,” the defence ministry said.

    The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on Friday.

    “The features and benefits offered under Agniveer salary package are similar to the defence salary package,” it said in a statement.

  • Army recruitment rally for ‘Agniveers’ kicks off in Agra 

    By PTI

    AGRA: More than 5,000 candidates participated on the first day of the Army recruitment rally for ‘Agniveers’ here on Tuesday.

    The 21-day long rally has been organised at Anand Engineering College, Keetham on NH-2 in the Uttar Pradesh district. 

    The total registration for the Agra recruitment rally is 1,75,218.

    “The rally is being organised at the venue for the youth of 12 districts under Army Recruitment Office in Agra,” Public Relation Officer (PRO) Defence, Lucknow Shantanu Pratap Singh said.

    AGRA: More than 5,000 candidates participated on the first day of the Army recruitment rally for ‘Agniveers’ here on Tuesday.

    The 21-day long rally has been organised at Anand Engineering College, Keetham on NH-2 in the Uttar Pradesh district. 

    The total registration for the Agra recruitment rally is 1,75,218.

    “The rally is being organised at the venue for the youth of 12 districts under Army Recruitment Office in Agra,” Public Relation Officer (PRO) Defence, Lucknow Shantanu Pratap Singh said.

  • Uttarakhand minister questions norms for recruitment of ‘Agniveers’ into armed forces

    By PTI

    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj has questioned the norms being followed for the recruitment of “Agniveers” into the armed forces in the hill state.

    “The height requirement for the hill people in Army recruitment rallies was reduced during the time of (former Chief of Defence Staff) General Bipin Rawat to 163 centimetres. But the colonel looking after the recruitment process for Agniveers in Kotdwar is still following the 170-centimetre criterion,” Maharaj said in a video statement.

    He said he has spoken to the Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt about it and asked him to ensure that the recruitment of Agniveers is done strictly in accordance with the norms.

    “As people in the hills are usually not very tall, a relaxation in the height requirement was given to the Army aspirants in Uttarakhand during the time of late General Bipin Rawat. However, it has been brought to my notice that the norm set by General Rawat is not being followed in the recruitment rally for Agniveers currently underway in Kotdwar,” Maharaj said.

    He added that he has urged Bhatt to look into the matter and ensure that the norms are followed.

    The recruitment of Agniveers began in Kotdwar on August 19 and will go on till August 31.

    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj has questioned the norms being followed for the recruitment of “Agniveers” into the armed forces in the hill state.

    “The height requirement for the hill people in Army recruitment rallies was reduced during the time of (former Chief of Defence Staff) General Bipin Rawat to 163 centimetres. But the colonel looking after the recruitment process for Agniveers in Kotdwar is still following the 170-centimetre criterion,” Maharaj said in a video statement.

    He said he has spoken to the Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt about it and asked him to ensure that the recruitment of Agniveers is done strictly in accordance with the norms.

    “As people in the hills are usually not very tall, a relaxation in the height requirement was given to the Army aspirants in Uttarakhand during the time of late General Bipin Rawat. However, it has been brought to my notice that the norm set by General Rawat is not being followed in the recruitment rally for Agniveers currently underway in Kotdwar,” Maharaj said.

    He added that he has urged Bhatt to look into the matter and ensure that the norms are followed.

    The recruitment of Agniveers began in Kotdwar on August 19 and will go on till August 31.

  • 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.”

  • 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

  • Terms and Conditions under Agnipath include 30 days leave and a distinct uniform

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The candidates joining under the newly proposed Agnipath recruitment scheme for the armed forces will have lesser leaves and will be donning a distinct uniform as per the terms and conditions stipulated.

    Of the perks, Agnipath scheme gives four years term of service with a “Seva Nidhi” of around 12 lakhs. There are other points that will make the soldier/sailor/ airman serving under the scheme different.

    As per the Terms and conditions applicable for the scheme, “The Agniveers would have a distinct rank in the Army, Navy and Air Force which will be different from any other existing rank.” They will have a distinctive insignia to be worn by Agniveers on their uniform during their engagement period.

    When it comes to grant of leave, it will be subject to the exigencies of the organization. “They will be having 30 days of annual leave. Sick leave would be given on the basis of medical advice.”

    Apart from the uniform and the service conditions, there will be the Medical and CSD Facilities that come with the service, including the candidate’s parents. The Agniveers will be entitled to both facilities for four years only.

    When it comes to leaving the services before the term of four years is over, Agniveers will not be permitted to be released at their own request, except in exceptional cases.

    At present, the youth falling in the bracket of 17 and half years and 23 will be joining the individual services for a period of four years which also will include a six-month training period.