No change being completed to military's regimental system, clarifies authorities sources

The numbers of ‘Agniveers’ to be recruited within the first yr would solely make up three per cent of the armed forces

Kids sit on railway tracks to protest towards the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, in Buxar on 15 June. PTI

New Delhi: No change is being completed to the military’s regimental system underneath the ‘Agnipath’ scheme and the numbers of personnel to be recruited within the first yr of its roll out would solely make up three per cent of the armed forces, authorities sources mentioned on Thursday amid wide-spread protest towards the brand new mannequin in a number of elements of the nation.

The scheme is aimed toward growing alternatives for teenagers to serve within the armed forces and the recruitment of the personnel underneath it will likely be round triple of the present enrolment within the armed forces, they mentioned with out specifying the length of comparability.

The federal government on Tuesday unveiled the scheme for the recruitment of troopers within the Army, Navy and the Air Drive largely on a four-year short-term contractual foundation, in a serious overhaul of the decades-old choice course of.

Below the scheme, youths between the ages of 17 and a half and 21 years will probably be inducted into the three providers. After completion of the four-year tenure, the scheme gives for retaining 25 per cent of the recruits for normal service. The personnel to be inducted underneath the scheme will probably be referred to as ‘Agniveers’.

A number of states have witnessed protests towards the brand new scheme. Plenty of Opposition political events and army consultants have additionally slammed the scheme saying it’ll adversely influence the functioning of the armed forces.

There have been apprehensions that the ‘Agnipath’ scheme would change the composition of a number of regiments that recruit youths from particular areas in addition to castes reminiscent of Rajputs, Jats and Sikhs.

“No change is being completed to the regimental system. The truth is it will likely be additional accentuated as a result of one of the best of ‘Agniveers’ will probably be chosen, additional boosting cohesiveness of the items,” mentioned a supply.

On the criticism that the short-duration tenure of ‘Agniveers’ will hurt the effectiveness of the armed forces, the sources mentioned such a system exists in a number of international locations, and therefore, it’s already “examined out and thought of greatest apply for an agile military.

The numbers of ‘Agniveers’ to be recruited within the first yr would solely make up three per cent of the armed forces, they mentioned, including their efficiency will probably be examined earlier than re-induction into the military after 4 years. “Therefore military will get the examined and tried personnel for supervisory ranks,” mentioned the supply cited above.

The sources mentioned most armies internationally rely upon their youths and the brand new scheme will solely deliver a couple of correct mix of “50 per cent-50 per cent” slowly in a really long term of children and skilled personnel within the supervisory ranks.

The sources mentioned the scheme has been launched following in depth consultations with serving armed forces officers within the final two years. The proposal has been framed by the Division of Army Officers staffed by army officers, they mentioned. The sources additionally rejected criticism that ‘Agniveers’ might be a hazard to society after their exit from the armed forces.

“That is an insult to the ethos and values of the Indian armed forces. Kids who’ve worn the uniform for 4 years will stay dedicated to the nation for the remainder of their lives,” claimed the supply. “Even now hundreds retire from armed forces with expertise, however there haven’t been any situations of them becoming a member of anti-national forces,” it mentioned.

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