How many will get employment?
Agneepath scheme is also mentioned among the things revealed from the unpublished book of General Naravane. No matter which direction politics goes on this issue, the real test of the Agneepath scheme will also come at the end of this year, when the first batch will come out after completing the service. Navy firemen will come out first. In November this year, about 2600 Agniveers of the first batch of Navy are completing four years. At the beginning of next year, the first batch of Agniveers from the Army and Air Force will come out. According to the scheme implemented till now, 25% of the Agniveers will be permanent and the rest will move out. It is from here that the real test of Agneepath scheme will begin. The biggest question is that how much and what kind of employment do the 75% youth who drop out get in the future. The government claims that there are complete arrangements for this. Many state governments, including the CAPF, have set certain quotas for firefighters in the police. Ever since the Agneepath Scheme was implemented, the question has been continuously raised that making only 25% of Agniveers permanent is not enough.
It was also recommended by the three armies that at least 40 to 50 and in some cases up to 70% of Agniveers should be made permanent. The question is whether the government is considering making more than 25% of Agniveers permanent. After the first batch comes out, there can be a discussion on whether and what kind of changes are necessary. Such indications have been given by the government that there is no consideration of extending the tenure of Agniveer by four years. But is there still a chance for necessary changes in the retention rate, i.e. how many firefighters have to be made permanent? If such a major change in the scheme is made in the first batch itself, it will only reduce the further headache of the government.
opportunity for change
If only 25% of the first batch is made permanent and then there is a change in it going forward and more Agniveers from the second or subsequent batch are made permanent, then it will again lead to a flood of court cases. Similarly, the Defense Ministry is fighting many cases and it is repeatedly said that the Defense Ministry is fighting against its own people and those who are serving the country, or have done so. If Agniveer is martyred or is disabled, the Army has recommended that he and his family be given the same help as regular soldiers. This issue is also pending. Political debate on Agneepath scheme has its place, but its real test is not far away.
