The Agnipath scheme has strirred a hornet's nest as massive protests have erupted in several states over the Defence Ministry's radical recruitment plan of soldiers in the Army, Navy and the Air Force. To quell the myths, the Centre has released a document detailing the misconceptions and facts about the Agnipath scheme.
Several Army aspirants have expressed concerns over job security and pension under the Agnipath scheme, in which soldiers, who will be called 'Agniveers', will be reruited on a contractual basis for a four-year-period. The Opposition and military experts have said the scheme would adversely impact the functioning of the armed forces.
Here Are The Myths And Facts On The Agnipath Scheme
1. Myth: Future of Agniveers is insecure
Fact: Those who want to be entrepreneurs will get a financial package and bank loan scheme. Those who want to study further will be given a certificate equivalent to that of Class 12 and bridging course for further studies. Those who wish to opt for jobs will be given priority in CAPFs and state police forces.
Salary: In the first year of employment, a soldier will get Rs 30,000. The in-hand amount will be Rs 21,000 while the rest Rs 9,000 will go to a corpus and the government will make an equal contribution per month. The monthly salary in the second, third and fourth year will be Rs 33,000, Rs 36,500 and Rs 40,000 respectively.
Other Benefits: Agniveers will be given a non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. Moreover, each 'Agniveer' will get a one-time 'Seva Nidhi' package of Rs 11.71 lakh upon completion of engagement period of four years. It will be exempted from the income tax. An additional ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh will be given for death attributable to service.
2. Myth: Opportunities for youth to serve in Armed forces will decrease
Fact: Opportunities for youth to serve in Armed forces will rather increase. In the coming years, recruitment of Agniveers will be around triple of the current recruitment in armed forces.
3. Myth: Regimental bonding will be affected due to Agnipath
Fact: No change is being done to the Regimental system. In fact, it will be further accentuated because the best of Agniveers will be selected, boosting cohesiveness of the unit.
4. Myth: This scheme will harm the effectiveness of Armed forces
Fact: The number of Agniveers to be recruited in the first year will only make up 3 per cent of the Armed forces. The performance of the Agniveers will be tested before re-induction in the Army after four years. Hence, Army will get the tested and tried personnel for supervisory ranks.
Such short term enlistment system exists in most countries and hence is already tested out and considered best practice for youthful and agile Army.
5. Myth: 21-year-olds are immature and unreliable for the Army
Fact: Most armies across the world depend upon their youths. At no point of time will there be more youngsters than experienced people. The present scheme will only bring about a right mix of 50%-50%, slowly in a very long run, of youngsters and experienced supervisory ranks.
6. Myth: Agniveers will be vulnerable to joining terror groups
Facts: Youngsters who have worn the uniform for four years will remain committed to the country for rest of their lives.
Even now, thousands retire from armed forces with skills etc. but there have not been any instances of them joining anti-national forces.
7. Myth: No consultations done with former Armed forces officers
Facts: Extensive consultations have been done with serving Armed forces officer for last two years. The proposal has been framed by the Department of Military Officers. Many former officers have recognised the advantages of the scheme.