1. Who can apply for the Agnipath scheme and for how long?
Ans. Tenth class pass youth between 17.5 and 20 years can apply for recruitment into the armed forces as Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. The age limit will be 23 as a one-time measure for recruitment year 2022-23. They will be recruited for 4 years. This 4-year period will include a 6-month training period. It also includes 8 month’s leave period, leaving an effective service period of 2.5 years.
2. Will the Agniveers recruited under the scheme get gratuity and pension? Will they be eligible for Ex Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facilities, ex-serviceman status and other related benefits? Will they be absorbed after the end of their tenures?
3. What will their package be? Will they be entitled to any allowances?
Ans. No, they will not get pension or gratuity or other allowances such as canteen stores facilities or the contributory health scheme. Only 25 percent of them will be eventually absorbed, the rest 75 per cent will get a Seva Nidhi (severance) package and leave.
Ans: Their package will be approx. Rs 4.76 lakhs. With upgradation, it will go up to Rs 6.92 lakh in the fourth year. They will be entitled to risk and hardship allowances, ration, dress and travel allowances. At the end of 4 years, they will get the Seva Nidhi, a one-time severance package.
4. What does the Seva Nidhi entail?
Ans: It will come from 30 percent of the monthly emoluments contributed by the individual and an equal amount contributed by the government. This will give a corpus of approx. Rs 11.71 lakhs after 4 years exempted from Income Tax.
5. Will the Agniveers get disability allowance?
Ans: Yes, they will get a disability allowance depending on percentage disability. They will also get a one-time ex gratia of Rs 44, 25, 15 lakhs respectively for 100%, 75%, 50% disability respectively.
6. What will they get in death?
Ans: The Agniveers will get a non-contributory insurance cover of Rs 48 lakhs and additional ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh for death.
7. Will the Agniveer scheme cut down the defence budget? Will the Agniveer scheme be to the exclusion of the usual recruitment process? Is it retrospective?
Ans: Yes, as it will do away with pension and gratuity and a host of other allowances armed forces personnel are currently entitled to. The Agnipath scheme will be retrospective as the government hasn’t recruited any personnel under the old recruitment scheme since 2019.
8. As per opponents of the scheme, what are its key weaknesses?
Ans: i) It will lead to exploitation of unemployed youth
ii) Lead to weaponization and militarization of youth. Some of them may join extremist groups
iii) Scheme is not tried and tested
iv) The youth, who will take a 4-year education gap, will not be adequately trained. At best they can complete their plus two or class XII while in the army.
v) The youth will not get enough time to get acquainted with regimental ethos, and not integrate smoothly with their units.
vi) They will be risk averse and will not have the enthusiasm to go beyond the call of duty and lay down their lives for the regiment or the nation.
vii) Will lead to chaos in the armed forces.
9. What does the government say?
Ans: The government claims it will be a win-win for all – the unemployed youth will get jobs; the country will get a trained pool of armed forces personnel to dip into. They could be deployed anywhere anytime. This disciplined young force will benefit the country in many other ways – help in national integration. The private sector could also recruit them.
10. Do the rules mandate any such scheme be placed before Parliament? Has this been done?
Ans: This is required under Section 193A of the Army Act, 1950. But it hasn’t been complied with.
By Nitiriti Bureau
