Agnipath will create vacuum in defence forces: Ex-servicemen

Nurpur, June 24

The local unit of the Ex-servicemen League has criticised the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in defence forces announced by the Central government.

Col NS Pathania (retd), chairman of the league, in a statement issued here today, said that the four years service under the Agnipath scheme would create a vacuum in the Indian defence forces. He added that the government should not forget the landmark achievements of traditional regiments of the Army. “Under the Agnipath scheme, 75 per cent outgoing soldiers shall neither be called ex-servicemen nor shall they have benefits for their wards at present being provided to Indian soldiers,” he said.

Col Pathania said that the aspirants, who wanted to serve in the Indian Army, were agitated over the Agnipath scheme. He added, “Our Army will require two decades to come on a par with the US, Russian and Chinese armies in developing capabilities to face cyber warfare provided it has dedicated and trained soldiers with assured future prospects and social security”.

He said that keeping in view country’s defence requirements, the Indian Army required experienced and dedicated soldiers, who are fit to serve in plains, mountains, deserts and the Siachen Glacier, and not Agniveers.