Monsoon session: CPI MP demands discussion on Agnipath scheme in RS

MP Binoy Viswamhas served the notice under Rule 267 for suspension of proceedings of the House

Parliament
File image of the Indian Parliament
Press Trust of India New Delhi
2 min read Last Updated : Jul 18 2022 | 10:34 PM IST

A Communist Party of India MP on Monday gave a notice for suspension of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the Agnipath scheme.

MP Binoy Viswamhas served the notice under Rule 267 for suspension of proceedings of the House.

The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths in the defence forces between the age of 17-and-a-half and 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. Protests had erupted in several states against the scheme.

Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022.

Viswam said protests against the scheme "engulfed the entire country" with some even losing their lives.

"This scheme raises serious concerns about the efficiency and functioning of armed forces in the country as well as the rights of those who dedicate their life to the service of the nation. The scheme perpetrates a grave injustice to young aspirants who wish to serve in the armed forces as now only an opportunity for temporary service of four years with no benefits is on offer.

"The future employment of ex-servicemen is already a serious concern as is evidenced by the large unfulfillment in current reservation quotas across various central government jobs for ex-servicemen. In addition, the large contingent of military trained youth without employment opportunities can lead to devastating consequences as society becomes more militarised in the future," Viswam said.

He said the armed forces are a matter of national pride and integrity with rigorous training to ensure quality and efficiency but "under this scheme training periods have been abridged to a fraction of their regular and there is serious doubt about the competence of those recruited through the scheme."

"Given the importance of the issue and its impact on India's security, it is imperative that the business of the House be suspended and this issue taken up for discussion," he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Quarterly Starter

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

Save 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

Topics :Agnipath entry schemeMonsoon session

First Published: Jul 18 2022 | 10:34 PM IST

Next Story