Lucknow(Uttar Pradesh): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Thursday hit out at the Union government over its new 'Agneepath scheme' of recruiting soldiers, terming it unfair towards rural youth. As announced, the 'Agneepath' or 'Agniveer' scheme is a process for recruiting soldiers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, for a term of four years on contract.
The scheme was announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. "After keeping the recruitment pending in the army for a long time, the centre has now announced a new recruitment scheme 'Agniveer' with a short duration of four years in the army. Even though it has been called an attractive scheme, the youths of the country are dissatisfied and angry. They are openly opposing the change in the army recruitment system," Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi.
"They believe that the government is limiting the soldiers' tenure to four years in order to eliminate pension benefits in the army and government jobs, which is grossly unfair and deleterious to the future of rural youth and their families," Mayawati said. In a series of tweets, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that the new move of recruitment will add to the woes of the people already beset with inflation and poverty.
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"People in the country are already afflicted by rising poverty, inflation, unemployment, wrong policies, and arrogant working style of the government, in such a situation, the uneasiness spread among the youth regarding the new recruitment system in the army is causing anxiety. The government should reconsider its decision immediately, this is the demand of BSP, Mayawati added.
While Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister hailed the scheme saying it will create a “golden chapter in Indian military history”. “The 'Agneepath Yojana', which is going to provide the youth power of the country an opportunity to serve Mother Bharati in the form of 'Agniveer', will create a golden chapter in Indian military history. This decision taken to enhance the strength of the armed forces is commendable,” Adityanath said in a tweet.
“Under the guidance of respected Prime Minister, the decision to launch 'Agneepath Yojana' to strengthen the security of the country and to provide military service opportunities to the youth is highly commendable. Prime Minister, on behalf of countless youth of the country eager to serve Mother Bharati!,” he added. 'Agneepath Yojana' will give a new dimension to your life as well as give a golden base to the future. Don't be deceived.
Our 'Agniveer', determined to serve Mother Bharati, will be the invaluable fund of the nation and UP govt will give preference to Agniveers in police and other services,” the UP CM said in another tweet. (With agency inputs)
