precise outline of the path of fire The plan, formerly called the “Tour of Duty”, is likely to coincide with the announcement of armyIAF and Navy chiefs in attendance on Tuesday.
Sources said that under the Agneepath scheme, around 45,000 youth in the age group of 17.5 to 21 would be inducted into the armed forces annually for a period of four years, which would include six months of basic training, with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000-40,000. and allowances. They will be entitled to awards, medals and insurance cover like the regular cadre of soldiers, airmen and sailors.
After four years, only 25% of “Agnivars” will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre on the basis of merit, willingness and medical fitness. After that he will serve for the full term of next 15 years. The first four years of service rendered under the contract are not likely to be taken into account for determination of final pension benefit.
Sources said another 75% of the firefighters will be monetized with an exit or “service fund” package of Rs 11-12 lakh, along with their monthly contribution, from skill certificates and bank loans to help them in their second career.
The government says the Agneepath scheme aims to reduce the salary component in revenue expenditure and pension bills, which together account for nearly half of the annual defense budget of Rs 5.25 lakh crore, and consequently increase funding for military modernisation. , as reported earlier by TOI.
“Agneepath Recruitment will be on All India, All Category Enrollment. The regimental system in the army will not be adversely affected. Officials will also not be involved in this scheme,” said a senior official.
But the plan has drawn much criticism from many serving and retired officers, who insist that it takes seven to eight years to become a fully trained combat-ready soldier, airman, or sailor.
“This will lead to poorly motivated and trained military personnel, who will become risk averse as most of them will have to look for other careers after four years,” said a serving officer.
Another officer said, “The basic spirit of Indian soldiers revolves around ‘name, salt and scar:‘ (the prestige, allegiance and ensign or color of their battalion or ‘platoon’). They fight against almost insurmountable odds, as they did while climbing the heights of Kargil in 1999. Short-term or contractual employment will affect this fighting spirit. ,
With the Agneepath scheme almost two years in the making, the 11.78 lakh strong army is grappling with manpower shortage due to recruitment of jawans through large rallies and the camps being suspended on grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Army had recruited 53,431 and 80,572 personnel through rallies in 2018-19 and 2019-20 before being suspended.