New experiment of PM’s laboratory will put security, youth's future in danger: Rahul Gandhi on Agnipath Scheme

ANI

New Delhi, July 24

As the aspiring Agniveers sat for the IAF Agneepath Recruitment 2022 exam on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Central Scheme saying "new experiment of Prime Minister's laboratory" will put "security of the country and the future of the youth in danger".

"60,000 soldiers retire every year, out of which only 3000 are getting government jobs. What will be the future of thousands of Agniveers retiring on 4-year contracts? With this new experiment of the Prime Minister's laboratory, both the security of the country and the future of the youth are in danger," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

The Agnipath scheme allows youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years. It has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces.

'Agnipath' is a pan-India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces. All those recruited under the 'Agnipath' scheme will be called 'Agniveers'.

'Agniveers' will be enrolled for a service duration of 4 years including the training period. After four years, only 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness.

The other 75 per cent 'Agniveers' will be demobilized, with an exit or "Seva Nidhi" package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.

Following the announcement of the scheme, there have been protests against it in some states.  

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