: Agnipath scheme prompts sharp criticism from all sections of society #IndiaNEWS #India Hyderabad: The Central government’s ill-thought-out Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment in the Indian

Agnipath scheme prompts sharp criticism from all sections of society #IndiaNEWS #India
Hyderabad: The Central government’s ill-thought-out Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment in the Indian Armed Forces has come under tremendous fire from various sections of the society, including ex-servicemen, doctors, engineers, politicians and members of the BJP too.
Voicing extreme concern over what is being described as a disastrous move, they demanded that the BJP government at the Centre scrap the proposal.
The Centre on Tuesday approved the Agnipath recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a short term of four years. During the four years of service, a soldier’s monthly salary would start from a meager Rs 21,000 after Rs 9,000 deduction towards contribution for the Agniveer Corpus. After four years, the soldier will get Rs 11. 71 lakh as Seva Nidhi package.
The announcement triggered agitations and protests across the country mainly from retired senior armed forces personnel, who categorically stated that the scheme spelt disaster for the Armed Forces.
Major General (Retd) GD Bakshi, a decorated officer and known BJP supporter, came down heavily against the proposal, stating that he was “flabbergasted by the Agniveer scheme???. “I thought initially it was a trial being done on a pilot basis. This is an across-the-board change to convert Indian armed forces to a short-tenure quasi-conscript force like the Chinese. For God Sake PLEASE DONT do it,??? he tweeted. Appealing to the Centre not to destroy institutions, he continued: “Let us not destroy our institutions in a time of great threats from China & Pakistan. Just for saving money let us not destroy what we have. Armed forces need a mixture of youth and experience. Four year tenure forces could be risk averse. Learn from Russia (sic). ??? “Switching to a 4 year virtual tour of duty model overnight would be a highly disruptive change,??? the vocal retired Army officer wrote.

Was flabergasted by the Agniveer scheme. I thought initially it was a trial being done on a pilot basis. this is an across the board change to convert Indian armed forces to a short tenure quasi- conscript forceLike the Chinese. ForGods sakePLEASE DONT do it
— Maj Gen (Dr)GD Bakshi SM,VSM(retd) (@GeneralBakshi) June 14, 2022

Lets not destroy our institutions in a time of great threatsfrom China&Pak . Armed forces have performed well . Just for Saving money let us not destroy what we have. Armed forces need a mixture of youth & Experience. 4 year tenure forces could be risk averse. learnfromRussia
— Maj Gen (Dr)GD Bakshi SM,VSM(retd) (@GeneralBakshi) June 14, 2022

Major General (Retd) Harsha Kakar, sharing a video clip posted by an Army aspirant, who questioned the absence of pension or financial security to his family, tweeted: “This is the common public view on Agneepath.