Digital Desk: Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress, requested the Narendra Modi-led Centre on Monday to raise the retirement age for "Agniveers," or new recruits of the Agnipath programme, to 65 years . If not, she claimed, they will face a "uncertain" future after their four-year contract expires.
According to Banerjee, the saffron
party created the new defence recruitment programme with the 2024 Lok Sabha
elections in mind.
People between the ages of 17.5 and 21
will be recruited into the military service of their choice for a period of
four years under the Agnipath programme. After this time, 25% of the Agniveers
will be kept on, while the other 75% will be allowed to go back to normal
civilian life.
Armed forces candidates and the
Opposition protested the scheme's introduction across the country. Following
strong objections, the ministry of home affairs declared a 10% reservation for
"Agniveers" in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam
Rifles while also lowering the upper age restriction for Agnipath applicants
from 21 to 23 years for the first year (2022 cycle) only.
The chief minister of Bengal has
already criticised the Modi administration over the new military recruiting
programme, alleging that the Bhartiya Janata Party was attempting to develop
its own armed cadre through the initiative.
Through this programme, the BJP is attempting to build its own
cadre of armed individuals. What are they going to do after four years?
According to Mamata Banerjee, the party wants to put weapons in the hands of
the youth.
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