Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has termed the “Agnipath” scheme launched by the Centre as “historic” that will provide opportunity for young people of Meghalaya.
India had unveiled the new scheme today for the recruitment of soldiers in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, largely on a short-term contractual basis, with an aim to cut the ballooning salary and pensions bill.
“The historic #Agnipath scheme will give our youth a chance to serve the nation in the Armed Forces & partake in nation building. With our huge youth demographic in #Meghalaya, this is a bright opportunity for our young people,” Sangma tweeted.
“This will discipline our youth, guide them in the right direction in very crucial years of their lives,” he added as he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh for the opportunity to the youth of the country.
Meanwhile, armed forces veterans have expressed mixed reaction to the Agnipath scheme under which soldiers will be recruited in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, largely on a short-term contractual basis.
Lieutenant General (retired) Vinod Bhatia said the Agnipath scheme — also called the Tour of Duty scheme — will sound the death knell for the armed forces.
“ToD (Tour of Duty) not tested, no pilot project, straight implementation. Will also lead to militarization of society, nearly 40,000 (75%) youth year-on-year back rejected and dejected without a job, semi trained in arms ex-Agniveers. Not a good idea. No one gains,” Bhatia wrote on Twitter.
The soldiers employed under the Agnipath scheme will be called Agniveers. The government said the Agniveers will serve in the armed forces for four years initially and 75 per cent of them will be retired at the end of the time period.
Group Captain (retired) Nitin Welde, who served in the Indian Air Force (IAF) for 22 years, said it is too early to criticise or appreciate the scheme.
Major General (retired) B S Dhanoa said while the scheme has been conceived and implemented with cost cutting in mind, it may turn out to be a catalyst to larger reforms needed in a 21st-century military.
Major General (retired) Yash Mor criticised the Agnipath scheme, stating that more than anything else, he feels for the lakhs of youngsters who had lost all hope of recruitment in the last two years.
“Service headquarters too appear to be reluctant to implement this,” Mor said in a tweet.
Major General (retired) Satbir Singh said the Agnipath scheme for the armed forces is not in keeping with the erstwhile military tradition, ethos, morals and values.
“It will adversely affect efficiency and effectiveness of military,” he added.
In his blog, Lieutenant General (retired) P R Shankar said, “Many senior veterans have written with the wisdom of their experience. A common voice has emerged. The tour of duty does not seem to be a good idea. Proceed with caution.”
Shankar said the Tour of Duty proposal expects a superman from a kindergarten student.
“We might be producing an Abhimanyu but he will not get out of the Chakravyuh. After five years of tour of duty, Arjuns will not be available in our next Mahabharata. The cutting edge units will not be able to fight. There are no runners up in war,” he wrote on Twitter.
Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the new scheme at a media briefing, shortly after the Cabinet Committee on Security approved it.
The new scheme was announced after extensive deliberations on it over the last two years.
Currently, the Army recruits young people under the short service commission for an initial tenure of 10 years, which is extendable up to 14 years.
The scheme is aimed at slashing the salary and pension bills of the three services, which have been increasing rapidly.
The defence budget of Rs 5, 25,166 crore for 2022-23 included Rs 1, 19,696 crore for defence pensions.
The allocation for revenue expenditure was Rs 2, 33,000 crore. The revenue expenditure includes the expenses on payment of salaries and maintenance of establishments. (With PTI inputs)
