Edited By Sangeeta Das
In a significant development, Chief of
Army Staff General Manoj Pande announced that the integration of Agniveers into
the Army is progressing seamlessly, with positive feedback emanating from field
units.
Addressing concerns raised about the
Agnipath scheme during a press conference, General Pande emphasized the final
structure of the scheme evolved through a comprehensive consultative process.
Launched in June 2022, the Agnipath
recruitment scheme aims to strategically lower the age profile of the armed
forces by facilitating the short-term induction of defence personnel. The
scheme permits the recruitment of individuals aged between 17-and-a-half years
and 21 years for a four-year tenure, with an option to retain 25 per cent of
them for an additional 15 years.
When questioned about his predecessor
General MM Naravane’s account of the Agnipath scheme in an upcoming book,
General Pande refrained from providing a direct comment. Instead, he
underscored the fairness of commenting on the predecessor’s remarks and
emphasized the importance of moving forward.
Reiterating that the Agnipath scheme’s
final framework was a result of a meticulous consultation process, General
Pande expressed optimism about the ongoing acceptance, positivity, ownership,
and integration of Agniveers within army units.
He acknowledged that the Army faces some
challenges in terms of training but assured that these issues, primarily at the
tactical level, are being addressed through adjustments to existing norms.
Highlighting the constructive feedback
received from various units regarding Agniveers, General Pande affirmed that
efforts are underway to harmonize training modules between Agniveers and
regular soldiers, further enhancing the cohesion within the armed forces.
