New Delhi:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with chiefs of all three defence services on Saturday, amid widespread protests against the Agnipath scheme, through which the government plans to recruit 46,000 youth aged 17.5 to 23 this year. Youth protested vehemently in many parts of the country over the last three days, and opposition parties urged the government to abandon the scheme. The All India Students’ Association, which was at the heart of the protests, has called for a 24-hour Bihar bandh on Saturday.
The crucial meeting between the Defence Minister and the service chiefs took place on Saturday, shortly after the Union Home Ministry announced a 10% reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of CAPFs and Assam Rifles.
The three chiefs have expressed confidence in the scheme, which will see youth recruited for four years in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. After four years, 25% of them will be retained, while the rest will be provided with future support.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhary stated on Saturday that the youth who oppose Agnipath should obtain accurate information and fully comprehend the plan.
According to Army Chief General Manoj Pandey, the scheme will provide opportunities to the youth, who have not been properly informed due to the ongoing resistance.
The protests were unexpected, according to Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, and the Agnipath plan is the largest human resource management change in the Indian Army.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged youth on Friday to begin preparing for military service. The procedure will begin soon. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force previously announced that the recruitment selection process would begin on June 24.
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