BJP MP Varun Gandhi launched a fresh attack on the central government, questioning the ‘no pension provision’ for Agniveers.
BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Friday fired a fresh salvo at the Central government over the government’s new ‘Agnipath’ scheme for recruitment of armed defence personnel on a contractual basis. Gandhi questioned the government’s scheme for not provisions for pension to the Agniveers.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, the BJP MP wrote, “Agniveers, who would serve for a short term, have no right to receive pension, then why this ‘convenience’ has been given to the public representatives? If people who are protecting the country are not entitled to receive pension, then I am ready to forego pension. Can we MLAs and MPs give up our pensions to make sure that Avengers will receive theirs?”
he armed forces. Termed Agnipath, the scheme will enable youngsters aged 17.5 to 21 to be inducted into any of the three services as ‘agniveers’ for a period of four years. In every batch, 25 per cent of Agniveers will be selected for the permanent cadre in the armed forces and the remaining 75 per cent will be relieved from duty without any gratuity or pension benefits.
The new scheme triggered massive protests across the country in which railway, public and public properties were vandalised, torched or attacked in various parts of the country. The government has increased the upper age limit from 21 to 23 as a one-time waiver.
The military leadership had said there would be no rollback of the Agnipath scheme, adding that those who participated in protests and violence would not be recruited.
DISAFFECTION AMONG YOUTHS
This is not the first time that the BJP MP from Philbhit has slammed the Centre over the Agnipath scheme. Earlier, he had said that the scheme would give rise to more disaffection among the youths and asked the government to make its stand clear.
He also raised doubts over the central government’s intention to provide job opportunities to Agniveers. He had written a letter to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urging him to make the government’s stand on the scheme clear.
The central government rolled out several amendments and support measures in the last few days to allay apprehensions surrounding the Agnipath recruitment scheme into the armed forces.
The Ministry of Home Affairs at the Centre and several state governments have announced that Agniveers — young soldiers recruited through the scheme — will be given preference in filling vacancies in police forces.
Several other departments have also announced support to the Agnipath scheme to enhance the capabilities of the Agniveers and ensure a bright future for them.
