New Delhi: The three service chiefs on Friday mounted a strong defence of the Agnipath’ scheme and stated that this was a rare opportunity for the youth to serve their motherland & also get benefitted from the strict discipline of Armed Forces for their future employment.
Their defence comes in the backdrop of wide-spread protets, arson & violence across the country by angry aspirants who are upset with 4-year employment condition in the Armed Forces and have refused to call off their stir demanding that the scheme be rolled back by government.
The Agnipath scheme was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in presence of three service chiefs with all concurring on the fact that this will be gamechanger scheme for the defence forces as it wil not only lower the age profile but will also make them more agile & adept in war tactics.
Army chief General Manoj Pande said that youths perhaps have not fully understood the contents & implications of Agnipath scheme.
“Once they understand the contents, they will realise it is good for them and the armed forces,” he said.
“We call upon our youth to avail this opportunity for joining the Indian Army as Agniveers. This decision will provide an opportunity for many of our young, energetic and patriotic youth who, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, were preparing to join the recruitment rallies, which couldn’t be completed in the last two years due to COVID restrictions,” Pande said.
Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said that the Agnipath scheme was long pending and is on lines of recommendations made by Kargil Review Committee. The panel reportedly called for need of younger profile of Army.
IAF to begin recruitment for Agniveers from June 24
Meanwhile, the Air Chief Marshal today said that the first recruitment for the Indian Air Force under the Agnipath scheme will begin from June 24.
In a video message, Chaudhari said that the government has revised the age limit for joining the forces under the scheme to 23 years.
