DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Jammu
Senior Congress Leader and former President of Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, Uday Bhanu Chib, has raised significant concerns over the implementation of the Agnipath scheme, calling for its immediate rollback. The scheme, which recruits individuals aged 17.5 to 21 years for a four-year service period in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, has been met with widespread opposition due to its perceived negative impacts on the Armed Forces.
In a statement issued here today, Uday Chib emphasized the damaging effects of the Agnipath scheme, particularly its division of soldiers within the same unit. “We are against the Agnipath scheme as it creates two sets of soldiers in the same unit and is damaging for the Armed Forces,” Chib stated. He further highlighted the nationwide opposition to the scheme, underscoring the concerns echoed within the Congress party.
One of the primary concerns raised by Chib is the significant decline in recruitment numbers since the introduction of the Agnipath scheme. “Each year, 35-40 lakh personnel appear for the recruitment rallies. But since the Agnipath scheme has been launched, this number has drastically reduced. This decline in recruitment numbers, according to Chib, indicates a “simmering discontent and a feeling of betrayal” among potential recruits.
Uday Chib also pointed out the disparity in training and service between Agnipath recruits and regular soldiers in the Armed Forces. He highlighted that while regular soldiers undergo rigorous training and gain extensive experience over several years, Agnipath recruits receive comparatively shorter training periods and shorter service tenures.
This fundamental difference, Chib argued, results in Agnipath recruits being less prepared for deployment in challenging and harsh conditions compared to their regular counterparts.
The senior Congress leader Uday Chib raised concerns about pay disparities and differences in compensation for Agnipath recruits compared to regular soldiers. He stressed the importance of honoring all soldiers equally, particularly in terms of compensation for those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
Uday Chib asked the Central Government to reconsider the implementation of the Agnipath scheme and prioritize the welfare and effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
