New Delhi: Protests continue in several states against the Army’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme. Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has said that the Agni soldiers selected under the scheme will be given 10 per cent reservation in the paramilitary and Assam Rifles.
A new employment scheme called ‘Agni Veerar’ has been introduced in our army. Under the scheme, dubbed ‘Agnipath’, 50,000 soldiers are to be recruited annually on a four-year contract. After four years, 25 per cent of them will be recruited into the three forces. There is opposition to the plan in many states.
In the states of Bihar and UP, train carriages were set on fire. Violence has erupted in many places. Thus rail traffic has been greatly affected.
Employment
Following this, various ministries of the Central Government are consulting on the provision of employment to Agni veterans under the Agnipath scheme after four years. The Union Ministry of Finance has held consultations with the executives of public sector banks and financial institutions. It discussed the employment of Agni soldiers in banks and financial institutions.
The Union Ministry of Skill Development has also been holding intensive consultations on providing employment to Agni soldiers.
A statement from the Union Home Ministry said: It has been decided to relax the age limit fixed for Agni soldiers for recruitment in both the forces by three years.
In addition, those who have opted for the Agnipath scheme in the first year will be given a five-year relaxation in the age limit. Thus stated in that statement. According to a statement issued by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s office yesterday, Rajnath Singh has approved a 10 per cent quota for Agni soldiers in the Army Ministry vacancies.
This 10 percent quota will be implemented in the Coast Guard, security positions and all 16 types of military public sector service. This reservation will be in addition to the current allocation for the Security Forces. Thus stated in the report.
Advice
Rajnath Singh held consultations with the Commanders-in-Chief of the three forces on the Agnipath project. It was attended by Navy Commander Hari Kumar and Air Force Commander Chaudhry. In response to Army Commander Manoj Pandey, Deputy Army Commander Raju participated. The implementation of the Agnipath project and meeting it in case of any challenges were discussed.
Political reason
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said: This will make a huge difference to the youth and the military. Politics is the reason for the struggle against this plan. Some parties operate with the idea that they should oppose whatever the government does. Those parties are behind these struggles. Thus he spoke.
The struggle to continue
Protests against the Agnipath project took place in several states yesterday. In the state of Bihar, there was a call for a strike yesterday. Violence erupted at several locations in the state, including a train station and a police vehicle; One policeman was injured. As tensions continue in Bihar, train services were announced to be suspended till 8 pm last night. Train services are still suspended today.
Rail and road blockades were also held in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. Protests also took place in Karnataka and Kerala yesterday. The day before yesterday, the Railways announced the cancellation of services of 200 trains and yesterday canceled the services of another 169 trains.
Police have received information that some training institutes are behind the protest in Bihar. The violence has caused a loss of Rs 200 crore to the railways. In Bihar, 10 BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi, have been given Central Reserve Police Force protection.