BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Friday hit out at the central government over the government’s new ‘Agneepath’ scheme for recruitment of armed defense personnel on contract basis. Gandhi questioned the government’s plan to not make provision for pension to firefighters.
The BJP MP wrote on his official Twitter handle, “Agnivar, who will serve for a short time, has no right to receive pension, then why is this ‘facilitation’ given to public representatives? If the people who are protecting If the country is not entitled to pension, then I am ready to give up the pension. Can we MLAs and MPs give up our pension to ensure that the Avengers will get their pension?”
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— varun gandhi (@varungandhi80) 24 June 2022
Center unveiled a new short term recruitment policy for Indian youth on June 14 To serve in the Armed Forces. The scheme named Agneepath will enable youth in the age group of 17.5 to 21 years to join any one of the three services as ‘Agneepath’ for a period of four years. 25 per cent of the firefighters in each batch will be selected for permanent cadre in the armed forces and the remaining 75 per cent will be relieved of duty without any gratuity or pension benefits.
The new plan sparked massive protests across the country in which railways, public and public properties were vandalized, set on fire or attacked in various parts of the country. The government has increased the upper age limit from 21 to 23 in the form of one-time relaxation.
The military leadership had said that the Agneepath plan would not be withdrawn, adding that those who participated in the protests and violence would not be admitted.
discontent among youth
This is not the first time that a BJP MP from Philbhit has targeted the Center over the Agneepath scheme. Earlier, he had said that the scheme would create more discontent among the youth and asked the government to clarify its stand.
He also raised doubts on the intention of the Central Government to provide job opportunities to the Agnivers. He had written a letter to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh urging him to clarify the government’s stand on the scheme.
BJP leader said It is not appropriate for a sensitive government to “strike first and think later”. When it comes to the future of the armed forces, security and youth.
In the last few days, the Central Government has taken several amendments and support measures to allay the apprehensions related to the Agneepath Recruitment Scheme in the Armed Forces.
The Ministry of Home Affairs at the Center and several state governments have announced that priority will be given to young soldiers recruited through the scheme to fill vacancies in police forces.
Several other departments have also announced their support to the Agneepath scheme to enhance the capabilities of Agneepath and ensure a bright future for them.