The Center at the beginning of this week unveiled the historic and radical scheme “Agneepath”, which aims to evolve the armed forces with cutting edge technologies.
Under this scheme, approved by the PM-led cabinet committee on security, the process involves recruiting 46,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen this year. This will begin on an “all-India, all-class” basis within 90 days.
The process entails recruiting individuals below the rank of officer, with the aim of deploying younger troops on the front line. However, many of them will be on four-year contracts.
Additionally, both men and women between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will be eligible to join the three-armed forces.
“Under the ‘Agneepath’ scheme, Indian youth will be provided an opportunity to serve in the armed forces as ‘Agni veers.’ This scheme has been brought to strengthen the security of the country,” the defense minister said.
This transformative scheme will provide a youthful profile to the armed forces, the defense minister, Rajnath Singh, said while unveiling the initiative.
While elaborating on the goals of the program, which include the average age of the soldiers gradually being brought down from 30s to 24–26 years of age, along with the aim of making them well-equipped and tech-savvy, “don’t doubt the scheme. It will strengthen national security,” he said.
The cost of salary and pension increases will be drastically reduced as a result of the transformation initiative, which accounts for roughly half of the annual budget. Therefore, the authorities hope to get more money for military modernization.
Apart from striving for tech-savvy and future-ready forces, it will ensure national building through skilled and disciplined youth and enhance the military ethos in civil society.
Furthermore, there are a plethora of views regarding this scheme. For instance, DGMO Lt-General Vinod Bhatia (Retd) said with regards to the annual demobilization of the trained soldiers could prove to be dangerous if they remain jobless as “it will lead to the militarization of society… It’s not a good idea.”
To which the defense minister said, on his part, they would be given priority in jobs by the central ministries as well as PSUs. (source: TOI)