Punjab assembly passes resolution against Agnipath

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment to the armed forces that has triggered massive protests across the country.

The resolution was opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who moved the resolution, said he will soon raise the issue over the contentious programme with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah.

“The unilateral announcement of the Agnipath scheme by the government of India has witnessed widespread reactions in all states, including Punjab. This scheme is against the country’s youth. It’s likely to create dissatisfaction among those who wish to serve the armed forces of the nation for a long time,” he said.

The Agnipath scheme, which was announced on June 14, seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in the regular cadre for 15 years after another round of screening. It sparked widespread protests and forced a concerted outreach by the government to scotch apprehensions about the scheme.

The Punjab assembly urged the Centre to withdraw the short-term recruitment plan and provide long-term employment to the youth in the armed forces.

“The youth of Punjab consider serving in the Indian Armed Forces as a matter of pride and honour and are renowned for their valour and courage. This scheme has crushed the dreams of many youths of Punjab who have been aspiring to join the armed forces as regular soldiers,” he said.

Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also demanded the resolution be passed unanimously. “Why is it that any new scheme introduced by the Bjp-led NDA government is opposed?” he said.

The resolution was opposed by BJP’S two MLAS — Ashwani Sharma and Jangi Lal Mahajan. “We should have faith in the heads of the three chiefs of the army, navy and air force who have stood by the scheme,” Sharma said.

Meanwhile, the legislative assembly also passed a resolution against the Centre’s alleged attempt to change the status of Panjab University (PU) into a central university.