NDA ally JD(U) seeks review of Agniveer scheme, backs UCC

As the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gears up for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time, its ally JD(U) seeks review of the Agniveer scheme.

"A section of voters has been upset over the Agniveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed...On UCC, as the national president of the party, CM had written to the Law Commission chief. We are not against it but a solution should be found by talking to all stakeholders,” JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi told ANI.

Rolled by the Centre in 2022, the Agnipath scheme recruits male and female candidates across Army, Navy and Air Force. Known as Agniveers, the candidates are recruited either directly through educational institutions or through recruitment rallies. They are supposed to serve for a short period of four years and are not eligible for pension.

The  Congress had argued that the scheme will leave Agniveers unemployed at the age of 25. However, according to the Centre, the Agnipath scheme is aimed at improving the battle preparedness in the armed forces and achieving a balance of youth and experience in ranks.