Congress Vows to Scrap Agnipath Scheme, Compensate Affected Youth

Congress Vows to Scrap Agnipath Scheme, Compensate Affected Youth

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reiterated his party's commitment to scrapping the Agnipath Scheme if voted to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He also demanded compensation for the 1.5 lakh youth who had completed the Army recruitment process before the scheme's implementation.

Addressing a gathering of youth impacted by Agnipath at New Delhi's Jawahar Bhawan, Gandhi stated, "We have said in our election manifesto that we will roll back Agniveer Scheme. Your dream to join the Army has not been fulfilled."

He further emphasized the need to compensate the affected youth, stating, "1.5 lakh youth who had completed the Army recruitment process should be compensated. There should be a way out. It will be analyzed (If INDIA bloc is voted to power)."

Gandhi claimed that the Indian Army was against the Agnipath scheme, adding that it was the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all decisions regarding it were taken in the Prime Minister's Office.

He elaborated, "Earlier poor used to join the Army, they used to get pension. Now they are training an individual for 4 months whereas a Chinese soldier is getting training for five years. You know what will happen, and when that agniveer dies he won't get anything no pension, no canteen. We will abolish this scheme once our government comes to power. Interestingly, even the Army is against the Agniveer scheme. This scheme was the idea of the Prime Minister and its decision was taken in the Prime Minister office."

Congress, in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, has promised to abolish the Agnipath Scheme and return to the normal recruitment processes followed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The manifesto states, "It will guarantee economic and social security for our soldiers."

The Agnipath scheme, announced by the Centre in June 2022, seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service. Those recruited under the scheme are called 'Agniveers'.