New Delhi: Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cornered the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government over the new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath saying that the scheme will give “no rank and no pension” to the employed youths.
Speaking at a gathering, the Wayanad MP said, “They used to talk about one rank, one pension but now there’s no rank and no pension,” reported news agency ANI.
Rahul further targeted the Centre and said that the scheme — which will employ youths between the ages 17.5 and 23 for four years after 75 percent of them would be retired — will leave youths unemployed in the long run.
“The young will toil hard and will go back to their homes. Once they retire, they won't get any employment,” he said.
"They are weakening the Army of the nation & they say they are nationalists. PM Narendra Modi will have to roll back the Agnipath Scheme. The young in India are aware that true patriotism is required to strengthen the nation. We'll make sure the scheme is repealed," he added.
Protests had erupted in several parts of the country since the scheme was announced on June 14. The protestors resorted to violence and vandalism in many states blocking roads and railways and destroying public properties. Scores of trains were cancelled by the Railways due to the agitations.
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Lieutenant General Anil Puri had however clarified that the scheme would not be rolled back and had also listed three major benefits — first youthful profile of the armed forces, technical savvy and adaptable people joining the Army, third makes the individual future-ready.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi was quizzed by the Enforcement Directorate for over 11 hours for the fifth day in connection with alleged money laundering in the National Herald case.