Agnipath scheme: Three service chiefs to meet PM Narendra Modi today amid ongoing protests

The three service chiefs would apprise the Prime Minister about various aspects of the implementation of the scheme.

NEW DELHI: The three service chiefs are expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately on Tuesday to brief him about the Centre’s Agnipath scheme as well as their plan for its implementation. The meetings are being planned amid widespread protests in several states against the new military recruitment scheme. It is learnt that the chiefs would apprise the Prime Minister about various aspects of the implementation of the scheme. However, there is no official word about the meetings between the prime minister and the service chiefs.

Several parts of the country witnessed violent protests after the new military recruitment model was announced on June 14. The Agnipath scheme provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

Days later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022. The personnel to be recruited under the new scheme will be known as 'Agniveers'. Several opposition parties, as well as military veterans, criticised the scheme questioning the four-year tenure for 75 per cent of the recruits. The government has been strongly defending the scheme, saying the "transformative reform" measure for recruitment into the armed forces will provide an opportunity for the youth to serve the nation. 

Amid criticism by some opposition parties of the Agnipath scheme brought by the government for recruitment in the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that a few decisions "may seem bitter at first" but will bear fruits in the coming days.

"Few of our initiatives might seem to be bitter in the present times. But, they will bear fruits in the coming days," PM Modi said while speaking at the inauguration of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects in Kommaghatta in Karnataka.

What's the Agnipath scheme?

The Agnipath scheme was launched last week and following protests, the central government has announced several support measures in the last few days to allay apprehensions surrounding the new recruitment scheme into the armed forces.

Unveiling the Agnipath scheme in the presence of the three service chiefs, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said on June 14 said that it was a transformative initiative that would provide a youthful profile to the armed forces. The Union Cabinet had also approved the scheme on June 14. 

The youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers. Listing out the benefits of the scheme, the government said it is a "transformative reform of recruitment policy" of the armed forces and a unique opportunity for the youth to serve the country and contribute to nation-building.

The scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the armed forces for a period of four years. The government said that the scheme provides an attractive financial package, will entail armed forces having a more youthful profile and provides an opportunity for Agniveers to train in the best institutions and enhance their skills and qualifications.