‘No change in Army’s regimental system,’ say Govt sources amid stir over ‘Agniveers’

New Delhi: With protests & arson in as many as 7 states, marring the Centre’s Agnipath scheme to hire young recruits in Armed Forces, the government is likely to mount a strong firefight campaingn to dispel the false narrative and myth associated with ‘Agniveers’.

According to top government sources, the new Agnipath scheme will not bring any change in the Army’s regimental system and the ‘Agniveers’ will only open positive avenues for both Armed Forces & those aspiring to join it.

”No change is being done to the regimental system. Infact, it will be further accentuated because the best of ‘Agniveers’ will be selected,” said source.

A lot of Army aspirants today took to streets in Bihar, Haryana & other places and demanded its roll-out. They are apparently angered over 4-year service period of the recruited jawans & then their compulsory retirement.

Seeking to allay these fears, the govt sources said that the Agnipath scheme won’t bring any change in the status quo and it will only help realise youth’s desire to served in the Armed Forces.

This year, about 46,000 Agniveers will be recuited and the numbers will be increased significantly over the years.

The sources further added that ‘Agniveers’ recuited in 1st year will only make up for 3 percent of the Armed Forces. From training to induction in the Army, their performance will be screened & assessed and this will further remove the existing gaps, if any.

”Hence Army will get the tested and tried personnel for supervisory ranks,” said the sources.

Further explaining the rationale behind this move, sources cite the model of other nations who also depend on the young & agile personnel for firepower. With this scheme taking shape, this will bring about good mix of 50-50 percent of youngsters and experienced person in the supervisory ranks and hence will be winning situation.

A couple of retired officers, being privy to Agnipath scheme formulation, stated that wide-ranging consultations were held within the Armed Forces for almost 2 years and it was after concurrence of all, this was rolled out.