Congress MP Deependra Hooda Demands Withdrawal Of Agnipath Yojana, Says Scheme "Not In Interest Of Army"

New Delhi [India]: Demanding the withdrawal of the Agnipath Scheme, Congress MP Deependra Singh Hooda on Thursday lashed out at the BJP-led Centre and said that this scheme is a mere political decision taken by the government, which neither serves the interests of the army nor the youth who want to join forces.

Addressing reporters in Delhi, Congress MP Hooda said, ‘The Government of India should withdraw the Agnipath Yojana. This scheme is neither in the interest of the country’s army nor in the interest of the country nor in the interest of the youth of the country. From where did the demand for bringing this scheme to the country arise? Why was this political decision taken? This is the same Indian Army that, in its glorious history, worked to break Pakistan into two parts in 1971.’

Deependra Singh Hooda took part in the protests held by Congress against the Agnipath Yojana.

Agnipath Yojana is a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces. The scheme is called AGNIPATH and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

Under the AGNIPATH scheme, the Agniveers will be enrolled in the Forces under respective Service Acts for a period of four years. They would form a distinct rank in the Armed Forces, different from any other existing ranks.

Upon the completion of four years of service, based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces from time to time, Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment in the Armed Forces. Up to 25 percent of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in a regular cadre of the Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry said in a release.