In a departure from the age-old recruitment policy, the Central Government announced introduction of Agnipath scheme in June 2022. It was made applicable to all fresh recruitment of soldiers, sailors and airmen. All recruits would be known as Agniveers. To start with, the government planned to recruit 40,000 Agniveers in 2022. Intake of Agniveers would increase progressively till the required ratio of 50:50 of regulars and Agniveers is achieved. It has been estimated that the scheme will help reduce the average age of the armed forces from the present 32 years to 24-26 years. Agnipath provides a four-year tenure with no gratuity or pension benefits. At the end of four years, up to 25 percent willing Agniveers will be absorbed in the regular cadre. Other Agniveers will be given priority for employment in various state-owned entities and in state police forces. In Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles, ten percent seats will be reserved for Agniveers. Even Home and Defence Ministries will reserve ten percent jobs for them. The entry age for enrolment is 17.5 to 21 years. Recruitment is carried out on ‘All-IndiaAll-Class’ basis. Candidates for Agniveer General Duty positions should have successfully completed Class 10 or Matriculation. They must satisfy laid down physical and medical standards. The scheme requires Agniveers to be unmarried at the time of recruitment. Further, they will not be permitted to marry during their entire tenure of four years. 2 Agniveers get a monthly composite salary of Rs 30,000 in the first year, progressively increasing to Rs 40,000 by the fourth year. In addition, they get all authorised allowances. During the period of service, 30 percent of the salary is deducted from the Agniveer’s monthly pay towards the Seva Nidhi corpus. The Government of India also contributes an equivalent amount. At the completion of four years period, an Agniveer gets a taxexempted amount of Rs 10.04 lakhs plus accrued interest (around Rs 11.71 lakhs in total) from the Seva Nidhi. All Agniveers get an “Agniveer Skill Certificate” highlighting the skills and competency levels gained by the individual during the service. The individuals who enrol after passing 10th Standard, receive a Class 12 Certificate. In case of demise as a battle casualty, the emoluments that the NoK would receive include Rs 48 lakh non-contributory insurance, Rs 44 lakh ex-gratia and his Seva Nidhi credits – the total sum adding up to close to Rs one crore. The Criticism Reforms are always resented, especially by habitual dissenters and compulsive critics. For, status quo provides a sense of security whereas reforms mean deviation from the old welltreaded path. In the case of Agnipath, criticism is generally centred on three issues. These are discussed hereunder. • Short tenure of four years is considered to be the most dissuasive aspect of the scheme. It must be recalled that prior to 1965, colour service was only seven years and nearly two-third strength retired without pension. To support their families, most discharged soldiers went back to agriculture or took up other vocations. Life was tough for them, as most of them had little education and starting afresh at the age of 27-30 posed considerable challenges. In contrast, Agniveers will complete their engagement at the comparatively young age of 21.5 to 25 years. Being unmarried, they would have limited family responsibilities. Up to 25 percent will be absorbed in the Army while vast opportunities exist for the others for employment in various government entities. Even the private sector has declared that they would give preference to Agniveers. Thus, availability of a second career will never be an issue. Moreover, all Agniveers will have a minimum 12th class certificate. They can enrol for special courses announced by the National Institute of Open Schooling to acquire additional skills. Those with entrepreneur flair can start a business with Sewa Nidhi of Rs 11.71 lakhs. The government will help all such start-ups. • Many critics have highlighted the fact that NoK of a martyred Agniveer will get less amount than regular soldiers. Non-grant of the status of ex-servicemen is another sore point. It is agreed that NoK of a martyred Agniveer will get less emoluments than a regular. But it is an unfair comparison as the service conditions of the two streams are different. Even then, the package in the case of Agniveers is in excess of Rs one crore. Incidentally, martyred Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman’s family received a total amount of Rs 1.3 crores, including grants from the Army’s various welfare funds. In 3 addition, his family will continue to receive full pay till the end of his 4-year service period. As regards the status of ex-servicemen with associated privileges, it is not granted even to the Short Service Commissioned (SSC) officers. • Concerns have been expressed that the discharged Agniveers may become disgruntled and prove to be a threat to the society and national security as they would be wellversed with the use of firearms. An Agniveer will never be a threat to the society or nation as military training instils a sense of discipline and nationalism in every soldier. Even earlier, soldiers got demobilised after seven years of service, they never took up arms to threaten nation’s well-being. It is simply beyond imagination that a soldier (Agniveer or otherwise) will ever misuse his training to harm the country. Apparently, the doubting sceptics are unaware of the impact of military service on human psyche.
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