Agnipath and Agniveers Business Standard Lucknow 28 Jun 2022
Agnipath and Agniveers Business Standard Lucknow 28 Jun 2022
The Agnipath scheme, which will be the future form for recruitment into the armed forces was launched with much fanfare on 14th Jun. Since its launch, all government functionaries have attempted to sell the scheme as path breaking and futuristic while many armed forces veterans considered it a setback. This scheme, bulldozed onto the forces, has both advantages and disadvantages.
Its main intention is to curtail defence pensions and salaries, which increase every year. Curtailment in pensions would be visible about 12-15 years hence, when numbers of Agniveers, would be almost equal to those serving a complete tenure. It would also reduce the overall age profile of the forces.
Its major disadvantages include limited period in training and familiarization for handling technology dominated weapon and electronic systems as also post service employment. While the government is not a guarantor for employment, weapon trained and counterinsurgency hardened unemployed youth, can be a menace to society, rather than an advantage. Whether they will bond into the military regimentation system will be known later.
Since this induction has futuristic impacts, there should have been a pilot project alongside normal recruitment, prior to it being introduced. Rushed implementation risks national security.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army