Rahul Gandhi Calls for Compensation and Abolition of Agnipath Scheme
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, has reiterated his party’s intention to scrap the Agnipath Scheme if the INDIA bloc secures power following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He emphasized the need to compensate the 1.5 lakh youth who had completed the Army recruitment process under this scheme. Gandhi expressed these views while interacting with affected youth at New Delhi’s Jawahar Bhawan.
According to Gandhi, the Agnipath Scheme, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has not fulfilled the aspirations of aspiring soldiers. He argued that the scheme, which recruits soldiers for only four years and lacks provisions for pension and other benefits, is detrimental compared to traditional recruitment processes. He claimed that even the Indian Army opposes this scheme, asserting that its decisions were made solely in the Prime Minister’s Office.
In Congress’s election manifesto, the party pledges to abolish the Agnipath Scheme and revert to the standard recruitment procedures followed by the armed forces, ensuring economic and social security for soldiers. Gandhi highlighted the disparities between the training duration of Indian soldiers and their Chinese counterparts, expressing concerns over the welfare of Agniveers who wouldn’t receive post-retirement benefits.
The Agnipath Scheme, introduced in June 2022, aims to recruit soldiers for a limited period, with the option to retain a quarter of them in regular service. However, its implementation has faced criticism, particularly regarding the welfare of recruited individuals post-service. Gandhi’s remarks underscore the party’s commitment to addressing these concerns and prioritizing the well-being of soldiers in future policies.
