NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday described the Centre's decision to extend Agniveers' service tenure by two years as a "U-turn", claiming it was driven by the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, where many young people aspire to join the armed forces."Elections are approaching in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. A large number of youth from these states want to join the armed forces. So, they (government) took a U-turn out of fear," Congress MP Pawan Khera told ANI.Also Read | Good news for Agniveers: Government extends tenure by two yearsOf the three states, the BJP, which leads the government at the Centre, will seek a third consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.Reacting to the announcement by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani, Khera said the Congress had opposed the Agnipath scheme from the beginning as it would "adversely affect" the armed forces and the future of young recruits."We had opposed the Agniveer scheme right from the beginning. (LoP) Rahul Gandhi ji opposed it too. This scheme is harming not just our…
'U-turn out of fear': Cong links Centre's Agniveer move to upcoming assembly polls
In short
The Congress party accused the ruling administration of altering the Agnipath military recruitment model due to upcoming assembly elections in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani revealed that the 75 percent of Agniveers not absorbed into regular service after four years will now receive an optional two-year extension. Under this adjusted framework, those willing to remain in the armed forces will be enrolled using objective selection criteria. Congress MP Pawan Khera questioned the long-term impact of this adjustment, warning that these personnel will still face unemployment once the extra two-year tenure concludes.
Key points
- Congress alleged the central government modified the military framework out of concern ov…: Congress alleged the central government modified the military framework out of concern over elections in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
- The BJP-led government is seeking a third consecutive term in both Uttar Pradesh and Utta…: The BJP-led government is seeking a third consecutive term in both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand amid widespread military recruitment scrutiny.
- Opposition figures argue the policy extension only delays the eventual unemployment facin…: Opposition figures argue the policy extension only delays the eventual unemployment facing three-quarters of all recruited Agniveers.