Agnipath Scheme

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Last edited December 10, 2022


Agnipath Scheme [1] (Agnīpath Yojanā, transl: Path of Fire Scheme) is a new scheme introduced by the Government of India on 14 June 2022, for recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces.[2] The Agnipath Scheme will be the only route for recruitment into the military. Personnel recruited under this system are to be called Agniveers (transl: Fire-Brave), which will be a new military rank.[3] The introduction of the scheme has been criticised for lack of consultation and public debate.[3] The scheme is scheduled to be implemented from September 2022.

This scheme will bypass many things including long tenures, pension and other benefits which were there in old system.[4]

Background

Prior to the introduction of Agnipath scheme, soldiers were recruited in the Army on a 15 plus years of service with lifelong pension.[5] Since 2019, no recruitment in the Army was done for three years. Indian Government cited COVID-19 pandemic in India for not recruiting in the army. Meanwhile 50-60,000 soldiers continued to retire annually from the army leading to a manpower shortage that began affecting the operational capabilities of the Army.[6][7]

Overview

The Agnipath scheme was approved by Indian Government in June 2022 and will be implemented from September 2022. The accouncement was done on 14 June.[8] The scheme is for both male and female aspirants of age group 17.5 to 21 years. In the midst of widespread protests against the Agneepath scheme, the Central Government raised the eligibility age from 21 to 23, only for recruitment in the year 2022.[9][10] The recruitment through this scheme would be for Indian Army, Navy and Airforce and will take place twice a year. The posts available would be below the officer cadre.[11][2] Agnipath Scheme would be the only route to serve in the military.[12]

The recruits named Agniveers will serve as for a tenure of four years that includes training for six months followed by 3.5 years deployment.[12] After retirement from the service, they will have opportunity to apply to continue in army and 25 percent of Agniveers will be selected for the permanent cadre.[13] Personnel who retire after 4 years of service will not be eligible for pension scheme of the Indian Army.[14][15][16] Every year, the Indian government plans to recruit 45,000 to 50,000 personnel through this scheme.[17] In September 2022, 46,000 youngsters are planned to be recruited through the scheme.[5]

Criticism

Individuals aspiring to join Armed Forces were disappointed with the rules of the new scheme. The main causes of concern were the short length of service, no pension provisions for those released early, and the 17.5 to 21-year age restriction because of which many of the current aspirants were rendered ineligible to serve in the Indian armed forces.[18]

Opposition parties in India have asked the scheme to be put on hold and that the scheme be discussed in the Parliament.[19] The Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) stated that it strongly disapproved "the 'Agnipath' scheme that does disservice to India’s national interests. Professional armed forces cannot be raised by recruiting ‘soldiers on contract’ for a period of four years. This scheme, to save pension money, severely compromises the quality and efficiency of our professional armed forces."[20] Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav called the scheme, "negligent" and potentially "fatal" for the country's future.[21] Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief said that the people returning after four years of service would cause gang wars in the country.[22]

Congress party called the scheme neither in the interest of the country nor its security, and has asked for a rollback of the scheme.[23] Haryana leader of opposition, Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated "It has far-reaching consequences and these have not been fully considered while preparing this scheme. In the long run, the policy would have a detrimental impact on our national security," he alleged "It seems the government is compromising with the security of the country with the intention of saving money on salary, pension, gratuity and halving the strength of the armed forces."[7]

The Hindu in its editorial asked the scheme to be put on hold and stated, "If a soldier’s job is now turned into a contractual employment, it might not motivate aspirants who hope for job security, pension and honour. The argument that defence should not be treated as an employment guarantee scheme is rhetorically impressive, but the fact is that from the manufacturing of arms to the employment of soldiers, the sector plays a critical role in the economy. For a country like India, where unemployment remains a major policy challenge, the concerns cannot be dismissed easily. The Government also faces the very credible charge that this is nothing more than a cost cutting plan."[5]

Protests

Soon after the announcement of the scheme, violent protests erupted in several states in India where the army aspirants angry with the new scheme called for its rollback and damaged public property including buses and trains.[18]

On 16 June 2022, the news of the protest was first reported from the state of Bihar where National highways and railway tracks were blocked by the protesters.[24] Violence was reported at Chhapra, Jehanabad, Munger and Nawada in Bihar.[25] Army aspirants burnt down trains and buses. They set fire to train bogies in Kaimur and Chhapra districts, blocking train traffic in Siwan, Ara, Jehanabad, Nawada, Saharsha, Chhapra, and road traffic in some places. [26] Later the protests along with violent incidents were reported in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and other states.[25] More than 200 trains were affected by the protests, 35 trains have been cancelled and 13 trains were terminated short of their destination.[18]

On 17 June, protesters attacked the house of the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Renu Devi.[27][28] The mobs of young protesters went on a rampage and set fire to trains and other property after which Bihar government ordered internet shutdowns in 18 districts. More than 325 people were arrested in Bihar and 250 in Uttar Pradesh.[29] A 19 year old protestor was shot dead in Telangana. Internet was shut down in 12 districts of Bihar.[30] In the BJP-ruled Haryana massive protest occurred in which the angry protesters threw stones at vehicles in Ballabhgarh, squatted on railway tracks to stop train movement in Jind and burnt tyres in Rohtak. In Uttar Pradesh hundreds of angry young protestors carried bamboo sticks and stones and stormed railway premises in several cities, blocked highways and targeted private vehicles.[29][29] By 17 June, 12 trains were set on fire, and the movement of 300 trains were affected. 214 trains were cancelled, 11 trains were diverted and 90 were terminated short of their destination.[21]

On 18 June, protesters in Bihar called a strike against the scheme. They clashed with the police and set fire on several vehicles since morning in Bihar.[29] Train services were stopped in Bihar till 8 PM, on 18 June. They will be stopped again from 4AM onwards on 19 June. More than 350 trains were cancelled across India as the violence continued in several states.[31] In Kerala a large protest march was held in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, against the scheme.[31] The protesters said their strikes would continue till the Centre rolls back its decision and ensured justice.[29]

References

  1. ↑ "Agnipath Yojana - MyGov.in". MyGov.in. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Explained: The Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers — what is it, how will it work?". The Indian Express. 15 June 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Sushant Singh
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DNA what is
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Playing with fire: The Hindu Editorial on Agnipath". The Hindu. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "No recruitment in two years has begun 'pinching' the Indian Army". The New Indian Express. 24 March 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Government should reconsider Agnipath scheme: Hooda". PTI. 15 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "As 'Agnipath' Protests Spread, Centre Announces More Concessions". NDTV.com. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Govt grants age waiver for Agnipath amid stir". Hindustan Times. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  10. ↑ Singh, Vijaita (16 June 2022). "Upper age limit for Agnipath scheme hiring raised to 23 for 2022". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "What is Agnipath scheme, who all can apply? Check eligibility, salary and other details". The Economic Times. 16 June 2022.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Opinion: An Army Veteran's 5 Suggestions For Agnipath Scheme". NDTV.com. 17 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Full details of Agnipath Yojana - MyGov.in" (PDF). MyGov.in. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  14. ↑ H. S. Panag (16 June 2022). "Agnipath scheme is proof that Modi govt can bring change for good. But an open mind is key". ThePrint.
  15. ↑ "Agnipath: Army aspirants stage protests over job security, pensions in Bihar, Rajasthan". India Today. 16 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Pandey, Devesh K.; Kumar, Anuj (16 June 2022). "Many veterans and politicians say Agnipath scheme may harm Army morale". The Hindu.
  17. ↑ "Agnipath: Violent protests in Bihar over Indian army's new hiring plan". BBC News. 16 June 2022.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "'Agnipath' Protests In 7 States, Mobs Burn Trains, Block Roads: 10 Points". NDTV.com. 17 June 2022.
  19. ↑ "Put Agnipath on hold, take it up in Parliament: Opposition". The Times of India. 17 June 2022.
  20. ↑ "Left parties demand scrapping of Agnipath scheme". The Times of India. PTI. 16 June 2022.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "12 Trains Burnt, Stations Vandalised In 'Agnipath' Protests: 10 Facts". NDTV.com. 17 June 2022.
  22. ↑ "'Will lead to gang wars': RLP in Rajasthan protests against Agnipath defence recruitment scheme". The Indian Express. 18 June 2022.
  23. ↑ "PTI News".
  24. ↑ Tewary, Amarnath (15 June 2022). "Protest in Bihar over Agnipath scheme to recruit soldiers". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Agneepath Scheme Protest: Highways blocked, rail traffic disrupted; Protests erupt against 'Agnipath' scheme in many states | Patna News - Times of India". The Times of India. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  26. ↑ Tewary, Amarnath (16 June 2022). "Protests continue in Bihar over Central government's 'Agnipath' scheme". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  27. ↑ "Anti-Agnipath protests: Bihar Deputy CM Renu Devi's residence attacked". India Today. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  28. ↑ "Protests against 'Agnipath' turn violent in Bihar; houses of Deputy CM, state BJP chief attacked". Hindustan Times. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 "'Agnipath' Protests: Defence Minister Holds Meeting With Service Chiefs". NDTV.com. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  30. ↑ ""Didn't Anticipate": Navy Chief On Violent Protests Over Agnipath Scheme". NDTV News. 17 June 2022.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Bihar Stops Train Services As 'Agnipath' Rampage Continues: 10 Points". NDTV.com. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.

External links

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