The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Agniveers our responsibility, will review scheme if needed: Rajnath
DEFENCE MINISTER Rajnath Singh Sunday said that the future of Ag ni veers is“our responsibility”. on the scope for review of the Agniveer scheme he said, “Whatever be the system ... there is scope for improvement in every system. If there is any need then we will do it. But the future of the Army personnel is secure.”
“I am saying with certainty that no one' s future will be played with. Agniveer joins at the age of 18, after passing high school, when he leaves after four years, he will get a certificate, there will be training, there will also be skill development ,” he said, adding that the scheme is a successful step.
Praising PM Narendra Modi, he termed Modi’s guarantee as 24-carat gold, and said Modi delivers whatever he says and people of the country are its witness while there is dist rust among people about Congress’ s guarantees. Singh said the speed with which work is being done makes every person feel that the country’s future is bright. “Not only in India but abroad, there is no question mark on the credibility of the government. The commitments made in the manifesto were fulfilled in letter and spirit, whether it was Ram Mandir or the
Citizenship Act or Triple Talaq or abrogation of article 370,” he said.
Fiscal deficit has reduced, exports are increasing, investment is on the rise, inflation is being controlled, opportunities have also increased and income has increased, he added. Targeting the Congress, he said it is the same party which could not provide bullet proof jackets, helmets and other essential materials that were required and is making such promises today in its manifesto.
Elaborating on defence challenges, he said there are many challenges from the defence point of view, including cyber war and unconventional warfare. “It is important that India be prepared for all this and we will work from this perspective. If India is strengthening from a defence point of view, it is not for attacking any country in the world but for its own security,” Singh said.
“India’s history has been that the nation has neither attacked any country nor taken an inch of land. This has been the character of India,” he added. He said India wants to maintain good relations withal lit sneighb our ing countries and is also of the view that they will respond in the same manner.
Stating that he had recently asked people how it feels to have elections again and again, Singh said people want elections not to happen again and again. He said that a committee was formed under the vision of PM Modi and former President Ram Nath Kovind to study ‘One Nation, One Election’. The committee has given the report to the President, he said.