Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for what he claims are misleading statements about the Agniveer Yojana. Singh accused Gandhi and his party of spreading false information regarding this initiative, which aims to inject fresh energy into the Armed Forces by recruiting young people for shorter service periods.
In an interview, Singh emphasised that the need for youthful personnel in the military has long been recognized. He pointed out that many countries, including the United States, Britain, Israel, Russia, and China, engage with their armed forces for brief periods.
He stated that the Agniveer Yojana was developed after extensive discussions, considering this global trend. The scheme has been designed to address the changing dynamics of military recruitment.
Singh further clarified misconceptions propagated by the Congress party. He specifically addressed claims that Agniveer soldiers would not receive any pay for their service.
He assured the public that Agniveers receive a one-time Seva Nidhi package worth ₹12 lakh and an ex-gratia payment of ₹44 lakh after their service. This financial support aims to provide significant benefits to those who choose to serve under this scheme.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the provisions made for Agniveers who complete their mandatory service but are not retained in the army. He stated that 25% of Agniveers would be eligible to serve in the army on a regular basis based on their merit. For those who do not continue with the military, the government has ensured reservations in various state jobs in places such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Goa. This move aims to offer Agniveers opportunities for a successful transition into civilian life.
Additionally, Singh addressed concerns regarding the welfare of Agniveers' families in case of unfortunate incidents. He confirmed that if an Agniveer is killed during service, their family is entitled to ₹1.5 crore as compensation.
Furthermore, the government has signed memorandums of understanding with multiple banks to provide Agniveers with insurance coverage ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore without requiring them to pay any premiums. This initiative is part of the government's commitment to ensuring the financial security of Agniveers and their families.
In a pointed remark, Singh referenced historical figures to underscore the seriousness of the misinformation being spread by the Congress party. He remarked that even Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist for Adolf Hitler, would find humour in the lies being told by Congress.
Singh's comments were not just aimed at addressing concerns regarding the Agniveer Yojana but also served to question the credibility of the opposition party.
Turning his focus to the upcoming Haryana elections, Singh expressed his confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospects for forming the government for a third consecutive term.
He assured supporters that the BJP would secure more seats than it did in the previous elections. Haryana is set to hold elections on October 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, winning 40 seats compared to Congress's 30 seats.
Follow us
