New Delhi: Agnipath, the Modi Government’s ambitious scheme for Indian Armed Forces became centre of a clash between opposition and treasury benches in Lok Sabha today.
Leader of Opposition in the house, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack by raising the issue of Agniveers, saying they are treated like “use and throw” labour.
“Agniveer is a use and throw labour. One jawan is getting a pension, while another is not. You are creating a divide between jawans,” Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said in Parliament.
Claiming that the Agniveer scheme will be scrapped when the Opposition forms the government, Rahul said, “Agniveer is PMO’s scheme, not the Army’s.”
Refuting Rahul’s allegations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the leader is misinformed and spreading lies in Parliament.
Slamming Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that the kin of Agniveers won’t get a pension, Rajnath said Agniveer martyrs receive Rs 1 crore in compensation.
The Narendra Modi government introduced the Agnipath scheme during its previous term to recruit youth aged 17.5-21 as soldiers for four years. The initiative aims to modernize the military, foster a younger force, and alleviate long-term financial burdens from pensions and benefits.
However, the Agnipath scheme has faced substantial criticism from various groups who argue that its short-term recruitment process could result in job insecurity and inadequate training for military personnel. Even allies of the BJP-led NDA government, such as JD(U) and LJP (RV), have called for a review of the scheme.
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