Agnipath scheme betrayal of youth: Cong

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Sunday released a statement demanding the roll back of the Agnipath scheme, calling it the betrayal of youth. The statement comes on the eve of the party’s planned protests against the scheme in all Assembly constituencies on Monday.

The Agnipath scheme enables young Indians to join the army for a limited period of years, walk away at the end of it with earnings of Rs11.71 lakh and an opportunity to be retained or serve in other sectors. However, the scheme doesn’t guarantee employment for soldiers after the service period.

This, among others aspects of the scheme have led to violent protests by aspirants in several states. “We demand immediate rollback of Agnipath scheme. Why is the PM not listening to youth? Why is he silent? We ask him to shun his arrogance. The same arrogance cost 700 lives of agitating farmers. That history should not be repeated in the interest of the country, our national security and the future of the youth,” the Congress statement said, adding that the justification offered by the Centre were not rooted in facts.

The party said that they would continue protesting against the scheme. “On this important issue, the Indian National Congress has been undertaking a nationwide agitation. The party head observed a peaceful Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and also in various states on 20th June, 2022.

“Our MPs took out a peaceful march from Parliament against Agnipath and a delegation of senior leaders submitted a memorandum to the President requesting to withdraw the controversial scheme. Continuing our uncompromising fight against Agnipath scheme, Congress Party leaders and activists will observe a peaceful satyagraha on 27th June, 2022 from 10 am to 1 pm in all assembly constituencies of the country,” it said.

‘Modi govt indecisive’

The statement added that the Modi government had a habit of floating laws and then being surprised when the policy is opposed. “This Tughlaqi government acts first, and then starts thinking. Many amendments have already been made in the last few days, but, the youth of the country are demanding its complete rollback.

The BJP government is trying to save money whereas the priority should be to protect the country regardless of cost. All stakeholders have rejected Modi government’s Agnipath scheme: youth, ex-servicemen, defence analysts.

Many serving officers have expressed their concern in private. We will not say a word against the army. We are concerned about the welfare of our Armed Forces,” it said. “The Agnipath scheme is yet another ill-conceived disruption by the BJP government that will create new problems for India’s national security without solving its existing ones.

The short period of training (six months) for Agniveers will have negative consequences on the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of our Armed Forces. Two sets of treatment and pay/ benefits are against all norms of fairness. It will create many unforeseen problems for the forces & its discipline,” it added. The statement also claimed that the Centre was trying to solve the unemployment crisis by artficial means.

“There is no investment in the country, industries are not being set up, the economy is crumbling, and people are unable to find jobs. Crores of youth are unemployed but, the BJP government is arrogant and careless. As per the government data, more than 62 lakh government jobs are lying vacant out of which 26 lakh are the Union Government jobs alone,” it added.