'Agniveer is like use and throw labour for govt': Rahul says will scrap scheme when oppn forms govt; Rajnath objects

Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Modi 3.0 government in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In his fiery speech, he raised the issue of Agniveers, saying they are treated like "use and throw" labour.

"Agniveer is a use and throw labour. One jawan is getting a pension, while another is not. You are creating a divide between jawans," Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said in Parliament.

Claiming that the Agniveer scheme will be scrapped when the Opposition forms the government, Rahul said, "Agniveer is PMO's scheme, not the Army's."

Refuting Rahul's allegations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the leader is misinformed and spreading lies in Parliament.

Slamming Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that the kin of Agniveers won't get a pension, Rajnath said Agniveer martyrs receive Rs 1 crore in compensation.

Gandhi also claimed that the Agniveer decision was as arbitrary as demonetization.

The scheme, introduced by the Narendra Modi government in its previous term, involves recruiting youth in the 17.5-21 age bracket as soldiers for four years. Its aim is to modernise the military forces, create a youthful profile and reduce long-term financial burdens associated with pensions and other benefits.

However, the Agnipath scheme has met with significant backlash from certain groups for its short-term recruitment process, which some argue may lead to job insecurity and insufficient training for military personnel.NDA allies like JD(U) and LJP (RV), who are part of the BJP-led government at the Centre, have also called for a review of the scheme.