Protests held in Uttarakhand against Agnipath; CM Dhami lauds scheme

DEHRADUN/PITHORAGARH: Army aspirants and youth on Thursday staged protests against Agnipath, a radical recruitment plan for the armed forces, and blocked traffic in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh.

Agnipath proposes the recruitment of jawans on a contractual basis for a four-year period followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits. Under the scheme, people aged between 17.5 years and 21 years will inducted into the services for a four-year tenure. After four years, only 25 per cent of these soldiers will be retained and they will go on to serve for a full 15 years in non-officer ranks. The remaining will exit the services with a package between ₹11 lakh -₹12 lakh.

A large number of army aspirants came out on the streets and blocked the traffic in Pithoragarh town. Senior officials of the district administration and police reached the spot and pacified the protesters, following which traffic blockade could be removed. After that the protesters held a rally in the town, and later demonstrated in front of the collectorate office, demanding immediate roll-back of Agnipath scheme. They submitted a memorandum to the government through the administration, demanding withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme.

“This scheme will overall increase unemployment in the hilly state as most youth won’t have anything to do after serving in army for four years,” said Rishendra Singh Mahar, a student leader in Pithoragarh.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Congress unit lashed out at the government, demanding rollback of Agnipath scheme, failing which the party will start a statewide agitation.

Meanwhile, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a press conference on Agnipath scheme. Dhami said the state government has decided that after the service to nation under the Agnipath scheme, the state government will give priority to the Agniveers in many services, including police, disaster management and Char Dham Yatra management.

“Our government is fully committed to the all-round development of the youth of the state and providing them employment opportunities and we will continue to strive in this direction,” he said.

The chief minister said, “The youth of the state would become Agniveers and bring laurels to the nation and the state and hoist the flag of their valour in all four directions.”