Polls are lengthy over. The motion has moved to parliament. It is now time for debate and dialogue. And, disagreements, too. The Lok Sabha witnessed one such spirited trade between Rahul Gandhi, the primary time Chief of Opposition, and Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, over Agniveers.
Mr Gandhi, whereas talking in Lok Sabha, focused the federal government over the Agnipath scheme, terming it “use-and-throw labour” for the federal government.
Launched in 2022, Agnipath scheme offers for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces with an intention to convey down the age profile of the three companies. These recruited beneath the scheme are referred to as Agniveers.
“One Agniveer misplaced his life in a landmine blast however he isn’t referred to as a ‘martyr’. I name him a martyr however the authorities of India doesn’t name him a martyr. PM Modi doesn’t name him a martyr. He calls him an Agniveer. His household won’t get a pension. They will not get a compensation. He will not be referred to as a martyr. His individuals will not get a pension. They will not get a compensation. Agniveer is use and throw like a labourer,” mentioned Mr Gandhi, wearing his trademark T-shirt and trousers.
Beneath the scheme, kids within the 17.5 years-21 years age group are inducted for a four-year interval. There’s a provision to retain 25 per cent of those recruits for 15 extra years. The remaining can be given a monetary bundle as their service involves an finish.
The short-term service plan within the armed forces had triggered violent protests in a number of components of the nation.
“Ek Jawan aur doosre jawaan ke beech principal phoot daalte ho, ki ek ko pension milega, ek ko shaheed ka darja milega aur doosre ko nahi milega. Aur apne aap ko deskhbhakt kehte ho (You might be making a divide between troopers. One will get the title of a martyr, whereas one won’t (the Agniveer). One will get the pension, whereas the opposite won’t (the Agniveer). An Agniveer isn’t referred to as a jawan. And then you definately name your self a patriot,” mentioned Mr Gandhi, suggesting there are two lessons of troopers.
Objecting to LoP Rahul Gandhi’s assertion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, “He Rahul Gandhi) mustn’t attempt to mislead the Home by making flawed statements. Monetary help of Rs one crore is given to the household of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life whereas defending… https://t.co/gJLaQLFdiO
— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024
At this level, Rajnath Singh, seated between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, stood as much as oppose.
“He (Rahul Gandhi) mustn’t attempt to mislead the Home by making flawed statements. Monetary help of Rs one crore is given to the household of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life whereas defending our borders or throughout warfare,” mentioned the Defence Minister.
“Galat nahi hai, sir; galat nahi hai, sir (I’m not flawed, sir; I’m not flawed, sir),” protested Mr Gandhi.
Mr Gandhi used each compensation and pension in his speech and whereas replying Mr Singh used the phrase compensation.
“Concerning the Agniveer scheme, direct communication was established with many individuals, 158 organizations, their ideas have been taken, then this Agniveer scheme has been introduced. This scheme has been introduced after plenty of thought,” Mr Singh mentioned.
Beneath the present provisions, households of Agniveers who die within the line of responsibility are usually not eligible for normal advantages like pension.
In an interview to NDTV earlier than the polls, Mr Singh underlined that “one of many components behind beginning this scheme is to convey extra younger individuals into the armed forces”.
The Congress has argued that the scheme will go away Agniveers unemployed on the age of 25. It additionally mentioned that it have an effect on cohesion within the forces as short-term recruits serve alongside troopers eligible for safe pensions and extra beneficiant allowances.
They Centre maintains {that a} good monetary bundle to Agniveers on the finish of their four-year service will give them a great head begin, apart from the distinctive expertise of working within the forces.
Households of Agniveers dying within the line of responsibility ought to get the identical advantages which can be prolonged to these of normal navy personnel, a parliamentary panel really useful in February.
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