Army Recruitment 'Agnipath'
Agnipath, seems to be an attempt, though not towards downsizing the size of our armed forces, but definitely an attempt to give our country an opportunity to optimise the size of the army. — Dr. Ashwani Mahajan
There has been so much of debate about Agnipath, a fixed term joining for young men and women in the armed forces, called Agniveers. The term has been fixed for 4 years in total, in which youth between 17.5 and 23 years of age would serve the armed forces, with monthly emoluments ranging between rupees 30,000 and 40,000, along with post service hand shake amount of rupees 11.5 lakh. These youths will be eligible for further employment in the army on permanent basis (25 percent of Agniveers), while they will get benefit of military canteen (where consumer items are available for purchase at discounted prices, free from taxes) and also medical services. While making it more attractive, government has amended its original scheme. So far the government has received more than 7.5 lakh application for the Air Force Agniveers, for which process of applications concluded on July 5th, 2022; and the ball has started rolling for making youth join army for a fixed term of four years.
Though, this scheme was announced as a big ticket path breaking scheme, a lot of heat was faced by the government with the agitation against the scheme going violent, where at least 12 trains were burnt by the ‘agitated youth’ and lot of other pubic assets were destroyed. Some political parties are also showing their opposition to the scheme by way of agitations and have even started passing resolutions in state assemblies in the states ruled by them. As the number of opposition ruled states is very small, such resolutions will not be very many. Further, ruling Biju Janata Dal of Orissa has chosen to remain silent on the issue.
It seems that by now the dust is settled, with the process of implementation of Agnipath scheme has already gone ahead. It’s the time to take 360 degree view of the scheme, apart from the contents of the scheme, the needs of the national security, financial implications, employability of the youth, future job opportunities in the public and private sector etc.
History of Army Employment
Indian army has a total strength of 14 lakh, with 1.25 lakh vacancies vacant for years. This could have been partially due to apathy of the governments of past and present to fill the existing vacancies, but another explanation given by people aware of the issue, that these vacancies couldn’t be filled due to rigorous requirements for army personals. In the past, to fill the posts, many of the conditions for army officers, had been relaxed in the past, however, despite that still 9000 posts of commission officers are still vacant. Therefore, logically speaking present government can’t be held responsible for the unfilled vacancies in the army. All establishments and eligibility criterions are responsible.
Today, India is spending rupees 5.25 lakh crores of GDP on defence. This expenditure includes salary and pensions, establishment and administration, purchase of defence equipments etc. Recently, with all good intentions, the government decided to raise pensions of retired army persons across the board, adding additional expenditure of nearly 47,000 crores in 5 years. If all the vacancies are filled (which is very unlikely), this will involve an additional expenditure, which is beyond the budgetary capacity of the government. We must see that in other departments as well, whereas vacancies at different levels (generally at class 3 and class 4 levels), work is being carried out by contractual employees. This has impacted the quality of work in government departments. The government has announced its intention for introducing the provision of fixed term employment in private sector, with somewhat better working conditions than contractual employees. Similar, scheme could be brought for government sector as well, which is likely to make life better for those under contractual employment.
Since, in the army the requirements are rigorous, similar contractual employment have never been feasible. However, with this Agnipath scheme it may be possible to have optimal size of the army, with lesser implications on the exchequer. Gone are days, when war was primarily fought on the ground. These days, wars are fought in the computer rooms, technologically, using missiles, carpet bombing via air attacks etc. Therefore, from that angle, we need to work out optimal size of the army. If we see other countries in similar situation, they have also been downsizing their armies, yet making them more stronger militarily, by way of technological warfare, missiles, fighter aircrafts, and disguisedly biological warfare also.
Agnipath, seems to be an attempt, though not towards downsizing the size of our armed forces, but definitely an attempt to give our country an opportunity to optimise the size of the army.
Benefits for New Incumbents
At present due to lack of employment opportunities, our youth is either forced to remain without work, or is continuing in educational institutions, without a clear mindset, aims and targets. Remaining unemployed for long time, they continue to remain unemployable, which is neither good for them, nor for the society. In the past also many positions in army have service duration ranging between 10 years to 20 years and after that these ‘retired’ ex-servicemen not only remain employable, but are much in demand from corporate and others, due to training, discipline, work culture and hard-work they learn in the armed forces. Except, the fact that service period has been reduced to 4 years, all other benefits, which Agniveers will enjoy, remain the same. After completing their tenure, they will have edge over their other counterparts, who were unable to get into the army as Agniveers. Perhaps, that is the reason, that many youth have got attracted to the scheme and have applied in the scheme.
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