Congress promises to scrap Agnipath scheme if voted to power
The Congress on Monday vowed to eliminate the controversial Agnipath military recruitment scheme and restore the previous armed services recruitment system if voted to power in the 2024 elections. During a press conference, Congress leader Sachin Pilot and MP Deepender Hooda slammed the existing scheme as a "politicized" cost-cutting measure that weakens the forces. The announcement came just hours after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, expressing concerns about the scheme's reduced tenure and limited service benefits.
Why does this story matter?
The Agnipath scheme recruits Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force personnel on four-year contracts to lower the average age of members and minimize pension costs. However, the recruitment scheme has been met with skepticism. Several protests were held across India against the scheme after its launch in 2022. Protesters had expressed concern that given the tenure, only 25% would be eligible for regular service and pensions. The scheme also lacked steady jobs and healthcare for retirees, claimed protesters.
Cost cuts in recruitment process can jeopardize security: Pilot
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, Pilot questioned the Centre's "spending priorities." He said that cost cuts in the recruitment process could jeopardize India's security and integrity. The Congress leader listed the Centre's expenditure on various recent events. He claimed the government spent Rs. 4,100 crore on the G20 Summit, Rs. 4,800 crore on PM Modi's plane, Rs. 20,000 crore on the Central Vista project, and Rs. 6,500 crore on advertisements.
Army recruitment on decline: Hooda
Hooda highlighted the lack of demand for the Agnipath scheme from the army, its leadership, youth, or any political party. He noted a decline in army recruitment from an average of 60,000-65,000 annually to 45,000 Agniveer recruits in the past year. Hooda warned that if this trend continues, India's 1.4 million-strong army could decrease to 800,000 within a decade.
Congress says Agniveer soldiers 'forced into labor'
Hooda criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s central government for failing to fulfill the "One Rank, One Pension" promise and implementing a "No Rank, No Pension" system. He condemned BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya's proposal to employ Agniveers as security guards at BJP offices without a pension after their four-year tenure. Hooda claimed that upon retirement, Agniveer soldiers are compelled to resort to illegal immigration and work as laborers.
Kharge's letter to President Murmu on 'injustice' faced by Agniveers
In his letter to President Murmu, Kharge highlighted the alleged "injustice" faced by nearly 2,00,000 youngsters whose futures became uncertain due to the introduction of the Agnipath scheme. Kharge said the frustration of those who spent years preparing and passing recruitment tests has led to "several reported suicides." He referenced former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane's statements about the army being "taken by surprise" by the Agnipath scheme and its "discriminatory" nature.
What is the Agnipath scheme?
The Agnipath scheme is a nationwide merit-based recruitment process for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Candidates, aged between 17-and-a-half and 21 years (23 years for the 2022 batch), recruited under this are called Agniveers, who get the opportunity to serve the forces for four years. Following that, however, 25% of them will be permanently inducted based on merit, willingness, and medical fitness.
