'Agnipath' protests have spread to many parts of the country. (PTI Photo)
The protests against Centres 'Agnipath' scheme have spread to more parts of the country. After Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have reported violent protests.
Here are 5 controversial points about the scheme
- Protesters want to work for a full 15 years, as is presently the case, earn higher salaries as they become more senior within the existing system and earn a pension once they retire.
- Under the 'Agnipath' scheme, those recruited will be paid a lumpsum of Rs 11.5 lakh after completion of four years of service.
- Some retired service officers said the new recruits will be like "tourist soldiers" and will adversely impact the armed forces' organisational ethos and operational effectiveness as a fighting force.
- There are also 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. However, government sources said there won't be any change in the system. Speaking about it on NDTV's Left, Right And Centre, former Army chief General VP Malik (Retd) said the regimental system will continue to be there. "Induction in a unit is not very many. There are very few people who will be there. I don't think unit spirit in anyway will be affected," he added.
- The Union Home Ministry has said that those 'Agniveers' who wish to obtain jobs will be given priority in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), but experts like defence analyst Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (Retd) say it's a "mirage". "Prioritising does not carry any guarantee. Even if a person gets absorbed in CAPFs, remember, he will be joining with four years of experience whereas his compatriots will be much senior to him," he said on Left, Right And Centre.
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