Agnipath, the
Indian government’s new soldier recruitment scheme, has triggered a wave of
protests across the country. Aspirants looking to make their way into the
country’s defence forces have vehemently opposed the reduction in minimum tour
of duty from 15 years to four. Now, the chief of the Indian Air Force has
spoken out on the scheme and the protests that have been raging.

Air Chief Marshal VR
Chaudhuri, 59, said violence is not the solution and aspiring youths must obtain
necessary information and clarify their doubts about the scheme.

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“Resorting to
violence and arson is not solution. If they have doubts, there are military
stations, Air Force bases, Naval bases around. They can go to them to get their
doubts clarified,” the Air Chief Marshal told news agency ANI.

“What they need to
do now is to get hold of the correct information, understand the scheme in its
entirety. They’ll themselves see the advantage and benefits of the scheme. I am
sure this will quell all their doubts whatever they have in their minds,” he
said.

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 Speaking on the government’s decision to
reserve 10% seats in CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) for Agniveers – those recruited
under the Agnipath scheme – the Air Chief Marshal said, “This is one assurance
that the people, who are going to leave services after four-year tenure were
waiting for. I’m sure that this will be followed by many other such announcements
and will definitely assuage issues that have been brought up by youth.”

Also Read | As Agnipath protests rage, Indian government tweaks hiring policy

The Indian
government’s Agnipath scheme seeks to do complete overhaul the nation’s soldier
recruitment process. Under the scheme, youngsters between the ages 17.5 and 21
will be recruited into the services for a period of four years during which
time they will receive salaries between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000.

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After four years,
75% of soldiers recruited under the scheme will be relieved from services with
a lumpsum pay of Rs 11.5 lakh. They will, however, not be entitled to pension
or medical benefits typically available to permanent staff of the defence
services. The 25% who make it through the four-year tour of duty will be employed
as regular personnel and go on to serve for a minimum 15 years.

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Following the
announcement of the scheme earlier this week, the Indian government made two
tweaks to the policy. First, the government extended the maximum age for 21 to
23. This extension is, however, only for 2022. It is being offered because
recruitments to the armed forces had stopped for two years. The second tweak
made was that of reservation in CAPF.

Meanwhile,
protests have broken out across the country over the Agnipath scheme. On
Friday, a person died in Telangana amid protests as mobs set a train on fire. Reports
of similar violence have also come from Bihar. Demonstrations have been
reported in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Haryana.