Agnipath Scheme draws mixed reaction from Veterans

New Delhi: The new recruitment scheme for the Armed Forces, Agnipath, announced by the Union Government on Tuesday, has drawn mixed reactions from the Defence Experts and Veterans. A section of veterans has questioned the move, arguing that a four-year tenure will hit fighting spirit in the ranks and can also make them risk-averse.

Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (Retd) called this scheme a death knell for the armed forces. "There has been no pilot project, on-ground implementation and analysis of such a serious and significant change," he tweeted. He argued that when it is related to national security, a serious approach is warranted.

"Test-bedding to raise the Integrated Battle Groups, senior officers entrusted to the first study before the reorganisation of the Indian Armed forces into theatres what compelled this fundamental change?" asked Lt Gen Bhatia who was the former DG Military Operations of the Indian Army and headed the think tank Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.
Senior Army officer Major General Yash Mor argued that the armed forces should not be looked at from an economic point of view. "Military life and career can't be evaluated from money saved to the exchequer," he tweeted.

In a tweet, Major General BS Dhanoa (retired) suggested, "Two serious recommendations to the just-announced recruitment policy for the armed forces; a. Increase the service period of new recruits to a min of seven years b. Make the retention of those keen to serve longer at least 50 percent."

Speaking for the government, Union Minister and former Army chief General VK Singh, when asked about the scheme, said that he did not have much information on this but added that a picture will not be clear till the scheme is implemented.

However, Veteran Maj Gen Ashok Kumar opined that every change, in the beginning, raises apprehensions. He said, "This scheme is transformational and will benefit both the Armed Forces and the Country in an asymmetrical manner. It will bring down the current age profile of the frontline Units which stands at 32 years at present to 26 years in four to six years' time frame."

"Not only that, since the retention will be only 25 percent of the intake there will be a qualitative upgrade of the Units profile," he added.

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