Govt considering changes to retain 50% per cent Agniveers for permanent cadre: Kothiyal
Doval says Congress should desist from playing politics without valid data on Agnipath scheme
Sunday, 16 JULY 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Based on the feedbacks and inputs received so far during the training of the Agniveers in little more than a year since the scheme was launched, the Government of India is seriously considering amendments to increase the proportion of Agniveers to be retained for permanent cadre from 25 per cent to 50 per cent to make the Agnipath scheme more effective. The Bharatiya Janata Party State spokesman colonel (retd) Ajay Kothiyal said this while stressing that this can be considered to be confirmed only after the necessary governmental order is issued. Further, India Foundation director and BJP leader Shaurya Doval said that the Congress should desist from playing politics on a sensitive issue like the Agniveers, adding that the opposition is misguinding the youths without proper data. Kothiyal and Doval said this while addressing the media at the BJP State office here on Saturday.
Kothiyal said that historically, armed forces have adapted to situations and developments and that the Agnipath scheme is one such development made in accordance with the times. “The Agnipath scheme was launched one year, one month and a day ago and based on the feedback and analysis of the first batch, the six-month training period was extended by seven weeks during which the Agniveers will receive advanced training for operation in various terrains. I am not speaking for the government but based on the feedbacks and inputs received so far in the execution of this scheme, I can say that the government is seriously considering increasing the percentage of Agniveers to be retained for permanent service from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. This will be confirmed only after the government issues an order to this effect,” Kothiyal said. He further said that from the national, individual and social perspectives, there are various positive effects of the Agniveer system. It will benefit the nation, the individual and also help in boosting postitive changes in society, he said. He said that based on the results of the Agnipath scheme in the armed forces, a similar system may be introduced in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Reserve Police Force and other such organisations.
Speaking on the occasion, Doval said that though all have the right to raise questions in a democracy, the Congress is raising illogical questions on the Agniveers just about a year after the launch of the scheme. “The Congress will not make positive changes when it is in office but will misguide the youths without citing any proper information. I would suggest that the Congress should desist from playing politics on a sensitive issue like Agniveers. Instead of trying to divert the focus of youths undergoing training, the Congress should await data related to execution of the scheme and then make constructive suggestions,” Doval said.
