While recruitment rallies continued in Ludhiana in August, one is currently taking place in Gurdaspur (September1–14), and another is slated to take place in Patiala (September 17–30).
The current situation of the Agnipath rallies
A Jalandhar-based officer has informed the Punjab administration that the state’s recruiting rallies for the temporary Agnipath programme may be kept in remand or moved to neighbouring states.
Major General Sharad Bikram Singh wrote on September 8 to V K Janjua, the chief secretary for Punjab, and Kumar Rahul, the principal secretary for employment creation, skill development, and training, Major General Sharad Bikram Singh, Zonal Recruitment Officer, Jalandhar, has said that he felt compelled to draw attention to the fact that the local civil administration’s support is erratic and lacking in firm guarantees.
He also highlighted saying that they typically blame their shortcomings on a lack of guidance from Chandigarh’s state administration or a lack of resources.
The Agnipath Scheme
The Government of India implemented the Agnipath Scheme on 14 June 2022, which is a tour of duty scheme, to recruit non-commissioned officers into the three services of the Indian Armed Forces. New hires will only be on board for a maximum of four years. The new military recruits under this method will be known as Agniveers. The scheme’s introduction has been criticised for a lack of public input and discussion. As of September 2022, the plan will go into effect.
Long employment terms, pensions, and other perks from the previous system will not be part of the new plan. Many people who had hoped to join the military because of the new regulations felt let down. The short term of duty, the lack of pension arrangements for those released early, and the age restriction of between 17 and 21 years old were the primary sources of discontent. As a result of the new regulations, many of the present candidates were disqualified from joining the Indian armed forces.
The Indian government did not publish any white papers prior to the rollout of the new recruiting programme. Neither the House of Representatives nor the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence had a hearing on the plan. Before the plan’s unveiling, the public had no access to any details about it.
Long tenures, pensions, and other perks from the old system will all be sidestepped by this plan. In India, opposition parties have voiced reservations and criticisms regarding the new plan. They have requested a halt to the programme while the issue is debated in Congress.
On June 16th, 2022, violent protests broke out in various Indian states, instigated by army recruits who were unhappy with the new system and wanted to see it scrapped. On June 17 alone, 12 trains were deliberately burned, halting the progress of 300 others. There were 214 cancelled trains, 12 rerouted trains, and 90 trains that were cut short.
The civil administration
The civil administration is also anticipated to set up emergency medical support, including an ambulance and a medical officer with a team. Additionally, the letter states that provisions must be prepared for 3,000 to 4,000 candidates per day for the 14 days that the demonstration is held at a specific location for the provision of basic necessities including protection from the elements, water, portable restrooms, and food.
What do the authorities have to say?
A “crystal cut promise” to make these arrangements must be provided, it says, or “we would be bringing up the case with Army Headquarters to hold in remand all future recruitment rallies and operations in the state” or “alternatively conduct rallies in nearby states.”
V K Janjua, the chief secretary, did not return calls or texts. There have been some problems in Gurdaspur, but according to the Principal Secretary for Employment Generation, Kumar Rahul, they are “nothing significant.” “I spoke with the General. He let me know there were some minor problems at Gurdaspur. Everything is well, and there are mechanisms in place to ensure that rallies run smoothly, “he stated.
Around 27,000 applicants from the six districts ranging from Malerkotla, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa, Patiala, Sangrur, to Barnala are anticipated to participate in the recruiting rally in Patiala, according to information supplied by the Army with the state government.
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