New Delhi: The Center has announced benefits for those who complete the Agneepath service. The first batch will be given a 5 year grace period on the age limit. There will be a three-year grace period from next year. The Home Ministry has also decided to provide 10 per cent reservation in Assam Rifles and CAPF (Central and Police Forces).
The Center came up with the benefits as protests against the Agneepath scheme spread to eight states. There are currently more than 73,000 vacancies in the five paramilitary units. The vacancies are in the BSF, CRPF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Armed Border Police (SSB) and the Central Industrial Security Force.
At the same time, it aims to reduce the strength of the military. About 70,000 people retire from the 3 Armed Forces each year. As there has been no recruitment for the last 2 years due to Kovid, there are currently over one lakh vacancies in the Army alone. Only 46,000 people will be recruited this year through the Agneepath (40,000 to the Army and 3,000 each to the Navy and Air Force). Indications are that there will be no recruitment equivalent to retirement in the coming years. Thereby gradually reducing the manpower. The aim is to reduce the total number of troops to 10 lakh in the future.
English Summary: As ‘Agnipath’ Protests Spread, Centre’s New Offer To Defence Aspirants