Upper age limit for Agnipath scheme raised to 23 yrs
Trains were set afire, public and police vehicles attacked and personnel injured as protests over ‘Agnipath’ snowballed and swept across several states on Thursday.
As the violence spiralled, the government raised the upper age limit to 23 years from 21 years for recruitment under the scheme for the year 2022, without making a reference to the turmoil.
“Cognizant of the fact that it has not been possible to undertake the recruitment during the last two years, the government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022,” a defence ministry spokesperson said, adding the upper-age limit for recruitment under Agnipath has been raised to 23 years.
As violent protests against the new recruitment scheme Agnipath raged across several states, the government issued a clarification, asserting that the new model will not only bring in new capabilities to the armed forces but also open up avenues for youth in the private sector and help them become entrepreneurs with the aid of the financial package they will get upon retirement.
With many states in the grip of violence, partisan political voices emerged in favour and against the new recruitment scheme for the defence forces that has set off a firestorm.
From Bihar’s Ara to Haryana’s Palwal, from Agra in UP to Gwalior and Indore in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, hundreds of young aspirants for jobs in the armed forces took to streets, pouring their anger on public and private property.
Over 34 trains were cancelled and eight more partially cancelled due to the protests, railway sources said in New Delhi. They said 72 trains were also running late due to the agitation.
Army aspirants, most of whom had cleared their medical and physical tests for recruitment last year, were awaiting the written examination, which has now been cancelled.
“We submitted our forms for the recruitment in the Army in February 2020 but the process started a year later due to COVID-19 outbreak. The written test was initially scheduled for April 25 last year but was postponed several times,” Munish Sharma, an army aspirant, said.
“Today, we came to know that the process for our recruitment stands cancelled and we have to re-apply in accordance with Agnipath. It is great injustice to us,” an exasperated Sharma said.
Govt clarifies: As violent protests raged in multiple states, the government issued a clarification, asserting that the new model will not only bring in fresh capabilities to the armed forces but also open up avenues for youth in the private sector and help them become entrepreneurs with the aid of the severence package they will be entitled to on retirement.
Apart from issuing a ‘Myth vs Facts’ document to address the concerns raised about the scheme, the government’s information dissemination arm issued a series of social media posts in its support.
Oppn steps up attack: The Opposition on Thursday stepped up its attack on the Centre over the Agnipath scheme and demanded its withdrawal.
While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the voice of unemployed youths and not take ‘agnipareeksha’ (trial by fire) of their patience by making them walk on ‘Agnipath’, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav called the move “negligent” and potentially “fatal” for the country’s future.
Significantly, BJP ally JD(U) sought a rethink on the scheme. “…the central government should immediately reconsider the Agniveer scheme because this decision is also related to the defence and security of the country,” JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh said in a tweet in Hindi.
Congress urged the government to keep the scheme in abeyance, hold wide consultations with serving and retired officers, and address the issues of quality, efficiency and economy without compromising on any of the three considerations.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ajay Maken, Sachin Pilot and Pawan Khera, former home minister P Chidambaram said the stated objective of savings on the pension bill is a weak argument and has not been established beyond doubt.
The Left parties demanded that the scheme be scrapped and be taken up in Parliament for discussion, alleging that it does a “disservice” to India’s national interests.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the central government to give the youth the chance to serve the country throughout their life, not just four years.
BSP supremo Mayawati hit out at the Union government over the scheme, terming it “unfair towards rural youth”. She urged the Centre to “reconsider” its decision immediately.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief, Chirag Paswan, said he has written to the defence minister seeking reconsideration of the scheme.
BJP Lok Sabha member Varun Gandhi said a government is elected for five years then why are youths being given four years to serve the nation.