New Delhi: Amid the rising protests and agitation against the Agnipath scheme, Lt. Gen Anil Puri, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs on Sunday said that the scheme “will not be rolled back”.
In a briefing, the top military officials said that a reform like the Agnipath Scheme was long overdue as it will now bring “youthfulness and experience” together in the armed forces and added that it is the “only progressive step to make the country young”.
The officer further added that “Coming to the rollback of the scheme, no. Why should it be rolled back? It is the only progressive step to making the country young. Why is it being made young? We are tinkering with ‘Desk ki Raksha (national security).” He further asked people to read about the number of casualties that happen each year due to posting army personnel in high-altitude regions.”
He further added that the “Indian Army’s foundation in discipline. No space for arson, or vandalism. Every individual will give a certificate that they were not part of a protest or vandalism. Police verification is 100%, no one can join without that.”
Talking about the violence they said that they did not anticipate such violence and agitation in reaction and mentioned that “every candidate will have to give a written pledge that they were not involved in violence.” He further added that police verification will be done and candidates will not be allowed to join the Indian Army if they are found to be involved in violence.
Talking about the retirement in 4 years the officer said that “Around 17,600 people take premature retirement from different forces, No one ever tried to ask them what they will do.”
The officer further added that centre will start by recruiting 46,000 candidates to check the scheme and subsequently move ahead and will recruit more than 1.25 lakh candidates in the future.