Will bring in resolution against Agnipath scheme, says Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

The AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will table a resolution in the ongoing Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha opposing the Agnipath scheme for the armed forces proposed by the NDA government at the Centre.

The CM gave the information on the floor of the House during Zero Hour after Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa sought an all-party resolution on the burning issue. The government is likely to move the resolution on Wednesday or the day after. Barring BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma, all other members supported the move.

It’s irrational

Agnipath is a whimsical and irrational move of the Centre that will destroy the basic fabric of the Army. —Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Chief Minister

One on PU too

Education Minister Meet Hayer informed the House that they would bring a resolution against the change in the nature and character of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Replying to the issue raised by the Leader of Opposition, the CM said: “Agnipath is a whimsical and irrational move of the NDA government that will destroy the basic fabric of the Army.”

Bajwa, who had in a letter to the CM earlier sought a resolution against the Agnipath scheme, said it was part of a “deep-rooted conspiracy” that would bring down recruitment of Punjab youths in the armed forces from present 7.8 per cent to 2.3 per cent. He said it would have dangerous implications as the trained youngsters recruited under the Agnipath scheme would join gangs once they leave service.

The Chief Minister said it was yet another “illogical” move by the NDA government to “ruin” the future

of the youth of the country. He said no one, barring the BJP, understood the merits of schemes such as demonetisation, GST, farm laws and others, adding ‘Agnipath’ was an addition to such “baseless” moves, which no one was able to understand.

Mann said it was “unfortunate and unbelievable” that a youngster joining the Army after attaining the age of 17 years would superannuate after merely four years of service, at the age of 21.

The Chief Minister said ironically youngsters who would serve the country in the prime of their youth would not get pension or other benefits for the service. CM Mann said it was a huge loss for the youth of the country who wanted to serve their motherland, either in freezing cold or searing hot temperatures, by joining the armed forces on the basis of their physical ability.

He said Agnipath reflected the sorry state of affairs in the country, as the party in power at the Centre was “recklessly” running its affairs without applying its mind.

The Chief Minister said it was grave injustice with the youth, which was not acceptable at any cost. The state government opposed the move and a resolution to oppose it would be brought shortly, he said, while soliciting the support of all parties.

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