Editor,
The sudden notification on recruitment of young lads between ages of 17 to 23 years through what we now know is the Agneepath scheme is facing commotion and law and order problems across the country.
The concept of Tour of Duty has been ill-conceived by the powers in Delhi without understanding the psychological implications of young people who would rather find themselves in the lurch after four years of “glorious” service to the nation and with a package of nearly 12 lakh in hand to seek better pastures and out of which only 25 per cent would be selected to join the mainstream armed forces is illogical.
For example how would an Agneeveer who is inducted into the Air Force undertake a technical training in aircraft maintenance and who by the time he finishes or completes the entire training and internship programme be of no use with very little years left in his hand before even getting inducted into a squadron? The same also goes for those vying in the Navy which are all the more advanced with hi-tech machines and engineering.
The summary is that the entire exercise is just another plain and simple political gimmick to attract votes for 2024 General Elections just as the Prime Minister promised Rs 15 lakh in every citizen’s account which none have received even fifteen rupees. Period.