Agnipath Protest: Defence Service Chiefs To Brief PM Modi Today On Recruitment Scheme Amid Stir

The Centre has announced several changes to allay the apprehensions around the recruitment scheme in the armed forces including a 10 per cent reservation in jobs for Agniveers in the defence ministry

The defence chiefs also addressed a press conference on Sunday to clarify on Agnipath scheme

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The three chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday separately to brief on the Agnipath recruitment scheme amid ongoing protests across the country, according to ABP News sources.  However, the time and venue of the meeting are still not confirmed. Modi on Monday said reforms might be unpleasant temporarily but the country would experience its benefits with time.

PM Modi, who was addressing the public in Bengaluru said, "The path of reforms can alone take us towards new targets and new resolve we have opened up the space and Defence sector which for decades were under government control.”

Since the launch of the Agnipath scheme last week, the Centre has announced several changes and relaxations to allay the apprehensions around the new recruitment scheme in the armed forces. The defence and home ministries announced a 10 per cent reservation in jobs for Agniveers in the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts, 16 defence public sector undertakings (DPSU), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles.

The three defence services have also issued notifications to start recruitment of Agniveers under the new military scheme.

The Centre has also decided to increase the upper age limit in the eligibility criteria of the Agnipath scheme from 21 years to 23 years for the recruitment cycle of 2022. Several state governments have announced that Agniveers, after serving the armed forces for four years, will be given preference in filling of vacancies in state police forces. 

Unveiling the Agnipath scheme in the presence of the three service chiefs, defence minister Rajnath Singh on June 14 said that it was a transformative initiative that would provide a youthful profile to the armed forces.

The youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers. Listing out the benefits of the scheme, the government said it is a "transformative reform of recruitment policy" of the armed forces and a unique opportunity for the youth to serve the country and contribute to nation-building.

The scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the armed forces for a period of four years. The government said that the scheme provides an attractive financial package, will entail armed forces having a more youthful profile, and provides an opportunity for Agniveers to train in the best institutions and enhance their skills and qualifications.

Several trains have been cancelled mainly on the Northern, Western, and Central Railway amid the nationwide Bharat Bandh on Monday. According to the Ministry of Railways, 208 Mail Express and 379 passenger trains were cancelled. 4 Mail Express and 6 passenger trains were partially cancelled. There have been no diversions of trains. Several trains especially in the Central Railway and Southern Railway have been rescheduled.