The Congress on Sunday demanded immediate withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme as it would spell doom for career prospects of millions of youths in the country.
The party would stage peaceful Satyagraha on Monday in all Assembly segments of the country protesting against the implementation of the Agnipath-Agniveer scheme.
Addressing a Press conference here at Congress Bhavan along with the PCC president Sarat Pattanayak, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Sachin Sawant said the BJP-led Government at the Centre rather than creating employment for unemployed youth of the country has started ‘contractual appointment ‘ policy which would prove disastrous as these contract appointments in any place or departments would severely affect quality of output and discipline.
He said the Congress party is not against strengthening the Indian army or youthful face of army but how can a six months' training for a four-year job appointment would bring quality and discipline.
Sawant alleged that while the Modi Government has brought down defense budget of the country from 17.8% to 13.2% in the last five years, how it will strengthen the country’s defence system, if Agniveer recruitment process would continue within next five years.
He accused the Modi Government of unitarily taking a decision without consulting the opposition parties, stakeholders and even experts. So, the retired military officials, organistaions, defence and strategic affairs experts and people at large are opposing the move, he said.
OPCC media coordinator Saatya Prakash Nayak moderated the Press conference.