Agnipath: A path-breaking scheme but government could have initiated it as a pilot project

The armed forces will become leaner and younger to meet the changing needs. Also, the Agniveers will get the unique opportunity to experience, train, improve and upskill in the best environment that the country can afford The announcement by the government of a revolutionary and path-breaking scheme of recruitment for the non-officer rank personnel for the armed forces has set the cat among the pigeons. *** *** Notwithstanding the good intentions of the government and the defence Services, the announcement of the scheme on 14 June 2022 and the immediate launch of the scheme the following day have unleashed a chain of events throughout the country, much against the expectations of the government and the defence forces. Let us examine some of the apprehensions on the minds of the young defence aspirants and the defence veterans: a) That the scheme will not leave any scope for the aspiring youth to be directly recruited into the defence forces for a full tenure of 15 years, as at present, to retire with pension. Let us mention of the possibilities/initiatives the government could take up with alacrity and smother the fires that have brought public anger and loss, adding uncertainty to the very fragile times we all are already beset with: a) Declare a moratorium on the Agniveer scheme by suspending the declared recruitment starting in September-October 2022. b) Convene an expert team of defence veterans and current defence officers, with a time-bound mandate, to modify/suggest methods to make the scheme acceptable to all.