Cong to hold anti-Agnipath protest

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Ramalinga Reddy on Friday announced that the party would hold protests against the Central government’s Agnipath scheme in all Assembly constituencies on Monday.

The Agnipath scheme enables young Indians to join the armed forces for a limited period of four years. At the end of their tenure 25% will be absorbed, while the rest will be demobilised after being paid a settlement of Rs 11.71 lakh. They won’t be eligible for pension, nor can they avail medical or canteen services. This has sparked violent protests by aspirants in several states.

Condemning the scheme, the former minister said that the Congress party will hold a peaceful protest in all Assembly constituencies in the state from 11 am to 1 pm “against the attempt by this Central government to turn Indian soldiers into contractual workers under the Agnipath. MLAs, MPs, candidates who had lost (in the previous Assembly elections) and other leaders will take part,” Reddy said.

“Before coming to power, Modi made amusing claims like he will annually create two crore jobs. By that count, in the past eight years, 16 crore youths should have been given employment, but they weren’t. There are 60 lakh vacancies under the central government, which they haven’t been able to fill. After being criticised for this, they are creating 10 lakh jobs (under this scheme),” he said.

DKS hails Indira

On his visit to Ballari, KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar hailed late party heavyweight and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as an icon of women’s empowerment. “Empowering women was Indira Gandhi’s dream. She always laid importance on creation and access to opportunities. God won’t send down blessings or for that matter, curses on us. He only gives us opportunities. How we utilize them is key,” he said. Shivakumar said that women of Ballari were deserving of opportunities and facilities, especially better healthcare