Shashi Tharoor on Agniveer Scheme: Dilutes quality of training, professional opportunities in Army

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

Criticizing the Centre and the Agniveer scheme, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on July 26 said that when the government creates a situation where soldiers can be trained for six months and serve for 3-4 years, it dilutes the quality of training and professional opportunities to the Indian Army.

"The professional reputation of the Indian Army is extremely high around the world. It’s considered one of the most professional armies globally, and maintaining that professionalism is in the interest of the entire nation. When you create a situation where soldiers can be trained for six months and serve for 3-4 years, you are diluting the quality of training and professional opportunities available to the Indian Army," Tharoor said.

He further said he believes its being done to save money on pensions. He added, "I believe it is deeply damaging; the only rationale for it is indeed to save money on pensions. Therefore, I think that the Congress stands justified in its insistence that we will scrap the scheme when we come to power."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26 saiid the Agnipath scheme is an example of reforms in the defence sector. 

"For decades, it was discussed how to make the Armed forces young. Aim of Agnipath is to make forces young and battle ready. Unfortunately, some are doing politics on this. Stop the sin of misleading our forces," said the PM .

The Agnipath scheme was launched in 2022 to recruit personnel for short-term service in the armed forces. It was aimed at reducing the age profile across the services. These recruits, known as Agniveers, do not currently qualify for regular benefits such as pensions for their families in the event of their death in service.

With ANI inputs