Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Lt Gen Anil Puri addresses a press conference in connection with the Agneepath scheme of the Central Government at South Block, Ministry of Defense, in New Delhi.
The armed forces on Tuesday said “credible” information on the ‘Agneepath’ scheme has dispelled misinformation about the recent initiative and said youth preparing to become soldiers have returned to physical activity in many places. . Amid apprehensions about the recruitment process, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Lt Gen Anil Puri said the recruitment process would remain unchanged and the traditional regimental system would continue in the Army.
The plan, which envisages a period of four years for 75 per cent of the recruits, was the result of a long period of consultations within the three services and the defense ministry, apart from deliberations between several wings of the government. This is a much-needed reform, he said at a tri-services press conference. Various committees had made recommendations on these lines since 1989, he said, adding that all stakeholders were involved in finalizing the Agneepath plan.
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With youth resorting to violence at several places to protest against the plan, Puri said all applicants of ‘Agneepath’ would have to give an undertaking that they were not a part of any violence. “There is no place for arson and violence in the armed forces,” he said. Referring to police verification, he said that it has always been a part of the recruitment process.
Over the years, the profile of commanding officers in the army has become smaller. He said that now the profile of the jawans will become jawan. Supporting the plan, an official said the ‘Agneepath’ would not be dented but would improve the combat capabilities of the Army. The opposition to the scheme, which was launched on June 12, has subsided in the past few days. Officials said in the press conference that those recruited under the scheme would be eligible for ‘Agnivar’ gallantry award and the scheme is being launched so that the armed forces can attract the best talent.
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