The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Congress MP Deepender Hooda has voiced strong opposition to the Central Government’s Agniveer scheme, emphasizing its negative impact on the youth of Haryana, a state known for its significant contribution to India’s defence forces. Hooda called for the withdrawal of the scheme, arguing that it has undermined the aspirations of many young individuals in Haryana who aim to join the armed forces.
Highlighting the legacy of the Indian army, Hooda referred to historical military victories, such as the 1971 war and the Kargil conflict, achieved through permanently recruited soldiers. He questioned the necessity of replacing permanent recruitment with the Agniveer scheme.
Hooda pointed out the stark reduction in recruitment numbers in Haryana due to the implementation of the Agniveer scheme. Previously, the state saw a confirmed recruitment of about 5,500 individuals annually into the defence forces. However, under the new scheme, only 950 Agniveers are being recruited from Haryana, with a mere 200 expected to secure permanent positions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticized the scheme, alleging that it was introduced to divert the defence budget towards the interests of a prominent business house, rather than for the welfare of soldiers. He emphasized that Agniveers would not receive the same salary, pension, or canteen access as regular army soldiers.
The Agniveer Scheme, launched in June 2022, is a radical shift in the recruitment process for the armed forces, focusing on short-term enlistment rather than traditional long-term engagement. The scheme recruits young individuals between 17-and-a-half to 21 years for a four-year tenure, with an option to retain 25% of them for an additional 15 years. For 2022, the upper age limit for recruitment was extended to 23 years.
Hooda’s stance reflects the growing concerns among the youth and political leaders in states like Haryana, where military service is a revered career path. The call for the scheme’s withdrawal underscores the apprehension about the long-term implications of such a transformative approach to military recruitment.