As protests against the “Agnipath” recruitment policy for jawans erupted in some States, the Government on Thursday said the future of soldiers will be secured and the new scheme will not impact operational effectiveness of the armed forces.

In an apparent effort to assuage the feelings of aspirants seeking a career in the Services, the Government also said there will be no change in the Army’s regimental system under the “Agnipath” scheme.

Clarifying the doubts about the scheme, the Government said the new model will bring in new capabilities to the armed forces and also open up avenues for youth in the private sector as well as help them in becoming entrepreneurs with the aid of the financial package.

Apart from issuing a “Myth vs Facts” document to address the concerns raised on the scheme, the Government’s information dissemination arm issued a series of social media posts, saying that in the coming years recruitment of “Agniveers” will be around triple the current recruitment in the armed forces.

“The scheme will bring in new dynamism to the armed forces. It will help the forces bring in new capabilities and take advantage of the technical skills and fresh thinking of the youths... It will allow the youths to serve the nation,” the Press Information Bureau said in a Facebook post.

As regards the financial package of around `11.71 lakh to be given to each of the recruits at the end of the four-year tenure from the “Seva Nidhi Package”, it said it will provide financial independence to the youths and even help them to venture into entrepreneurship.

                Continued on Page 2

Soldiers’ future secure: Govt

 The Government officials also strongly rejected criticism that “Agniveers” could be a danger to society after their exit from the armed forces.

“This is an insult to the ethos and values of the Indian armed forces.

Youngsters who have worn the uniform for four years will remain committed to the country for the rest of their lives,” they said.

“Even now thousands retire from armed forces with skills, but there have not been any instance of them joining anti-national forces,” they said.

Elaborating upon the avenues for demobilized “Agniveers”, they said for those wishing to be entrepreneurs will get a financial package and bank loan scheme. For those wishing to study further, they will be given a Class 12 equivalent certificate and bridging course for further studies.

There were apprehensions that the “Agnipath” scheme would change the composition of several regiments that recruit youths from specific regions as well as castes such as Rajputs, Jats and Sikhs.

“No change is being done to the regimental system. In fact, it will be further accentuated because the best of “Agniveers” will be selected,

further boosting the cohesiveness of the units,” they said.

On the criticism that the short-duration tenure of “Agniveers” will harm the effectiveness of the armed forces, the officials said such a system exists in several countries, and hence, it is already tested out and considered best practice for an agile army.

The numbers of “Agniveers” to be recruited in the first year would only make up three per cent of the armed forces, they said, adding their performance will be tested before re-induction into the army after four years.

The Army, therefore, will get tested and tried personnel for supervisory

ranks, they said adding armies across the world depend upon their youths and the new scheme will only bring about a right mix of “50 per cent of youth and 50 per cent of experience” in the long run in the supervisory ranks.

As regards the charge that the scheme was introduced in a hurry without due deliberations, they said the policy was launched following extensive consultations with serving armed forces officers in the last two years.  The proposal has been framed by the Department of Military Officers staffed by military officers, they said.

Under the scheme, the Army is likely to recruit around 40,000 soldiers, the Navy is expected to induct around 3,000 sailors and the IAF is set to recruit 3,000 air warriors this year.

Sources said the Government plans to have a centralised database on the “Agniveers” to keep track of the skills that they would acquire during their four-year tenure.

The recruitment process will start after 90 days since the policy was announced and nearly 46,000 soldiers will be selected on contractual basis for a four-year stint.  Later, 25 per cent of them will be retained for a permanent stint or regular service of 15 years or more with full pension and medical benefits.  Under the scheme, youths between the ages of 17 and a half and 21 years will be inducted into the three services.

Veterans questioned the point that the demobilized “Agniveers” will be given preference in vacancies in the Central armed police forces or State police.  They said aspirants can directly join the para-military forces or the police and avail of pension and other long-term benefits.

Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt General BS Raju said on Wednesday the army will recruit 25,000 Agniveers in the next 180 days and the process for recruitment of the remaining 15,000 will begin a month after that. The recruitment drive will cover every district of the country, he added. “I think, with this scheme, we will be ready to fight the future wars”, he said.