Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 15 (EMN): Nagaland Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has disseminated information on ‘Agnipath’ scheme, which was launched on June 14 by the NDA government.
Briefing media persons at the BJP district office in Supermarket, Dimapur, on Wednesday, state BJYM general secretary, Imnanungkum Longkumer, stated that the scheme will bring about transformational change in the country in way of arm forces moving forward besides maintaining a balance between youth and experience in the army.
“This scheme will provide the much needed change that the three arm forces have been longing for while in response to the arm forces' calls, needs, and desire. The NDA government has taken this bold decision and they believe that changes will be seen in the days ahead as this scheme will immediately begin,” Longkumer said.
While highlighting the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, state BJYM president, Hosheto Awomi, informed that it is an appealing scheme for Indian youth to serve in the armed forces. Awomi stated that youth selected under the scheme will be known as ‘Agniveers’ and serve in the armed forces for four years, adding that the scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the armed forces.
Awomi added that it will provide an opportunity for the youth who are keen to don the uniform by attracting young talent from the society who are more in tune with contemporary technological trends and plough back skilled, disciplined and motivated manpower into the society.
Awomi stated that the present central government is emphasising on job creation for the youth and focus on efficient management of workload.
While highlighting some of the key features, Awomi stated that all soldiers, sailors, and airmen will be enrolled through the ‘Agnipath’ scheme and provide opportunity to apply for enrolment as regular cadre based on merit.
Awomi informed that the age limit will be 17.5 to 21 years and added that 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited this year with a first-year financial package of around INR 4.76 lakh, which could be upgraded to INR 6.92 lakh in the fourth year.
While 30% of monthly emoluments to be contributed by individuals, an equal amount be matched and contributed by the government and a corpus of approximately INR. 11.71 lakh is exempt from income tax after four years.
In addition, compensation in the event of death, non-contributory life insurance covers of INR 48 lakh and additional ex-gratia of INR 44 lakhs for death attributable to service will be provided. Disability compensation will also be provided. Compensation will consist of a one-time ex-gratia payment of INR 44 lakh, INR 25 lakh and INR 15 lakh for 100 percent, 75 percent, and 50 percent disability respectively.
BJYM NEC member and in-charge of BJYM Meghalaya, Arvind Damani, said the ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be a game changer and a revolutionary idea in this 21st century modern defense system. This scheme will not only provide job opportunities but opportunity for the young aspiring youth to serve the nation, Arvind added.
A similar deliberation on ‘Agnipath’ scheme was addressed by the Chief of Staff of Spear Corps, Major General, RS Guraya, at Rangapahar Military Station (RMS), Dimapur, on June 15.
Addressing media persons, Guraya stated that 46,000 Agniveers would be recruited this year, which would commence within 90 days. He stated that Agniveers should meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades.
Guraya went on to say that under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, the Agniveers would form a distinct rank in the armed forces, different from any other existing ranks. He informed that the enrolment would be undertaken through an online centralised system for all three services with specialised rallies and campus interviews from recognised technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework among others.
Guraya has termed the scheme as a major defence policy reform introduced by the government to usher in a new era in the human resource policy of the three services.
Guraya has sought a chance for a change in order to know whether it is successful or not. ‘Of course there will be challenges; it is transformational, but it is evolutionary,’ he said. Guraya added that they cannot put down an idea that has been thought through, analysed, and deliberated upon before bringing it to the nation.
When asked if the scheme was also a way to cut long-term pension expenditures, Guraya stated that it has nothing to do with cutting expenditures but rather increasing short-term expenditures.