• Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik has a new concern for Agniveers

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    Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik has a new concern for Agniveers

    Future jawans will receive six months of leave after completing their training. When they return to their families after three years of work, they hardly ever receive marriage offers. Malik told news agency PTI that the Agnipath plan is against future jawans and a hoax on their dreams.

    Digital Desk: The governor of
    Meghalaya, Satya Pal Malik, made fun of the Centre's recently unveiled Agniptah
    programme, which establishes a four-year contractual commitment for troops, on
    Sunday. He claimed that individuals who leave the armed forces without
    receiving a pension will not receive any marriage proposals.



    Former
    governors of Bihar, Goa, and the former state of Jammu and Kashmir referred to
    the programme as a "fraud" on prospective soldiers and encouraged the
    Narendra Modi administration to "reconsider" the hiring process.



    Future
    jawans will receive six months of leave after completing their training. When
    they return to their families after three years of work, they hardly ever
    receive marriage offers. Malik told news agency PTI that the Agnipath plan is
    against future jawans and a hoax on their dreams.



    On
    June 14, Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, and the three service chiefs of
    the IAF, Army, and Navy unveiled the "Agnipath" programme. The
    programme seeks to enlist young people between the ages of 17 and 21 for a
    four-year period in the military forces. After four years, 75 percent of the
    group will be released from duty, and the remaining 25 percent will, following
    additional evaluation, be enrolled in normal cadres for a term of 15 years.



    Youth,
    particularly those interested in the military, and the opposition have both
    sharply criticised the new military recruitment plan and demanded that it be
    scaled back. 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
    administration, however, has consistently opposed the move and rejected calls
    for a reversal, claiming that doing so will provide India's youth with more
    opportunities and a chance to serve their country.



    Malik
    added that he had previously spoken on the subject of farmers during their
    demonstrations against the three farm laws that have since been abolished and
    that he would now talk about the young and their issues. When asked by
    journalists if he should have resigned as governor before bringing up these
    political concerns, Malik responded, "Had I fallen into the 'chakkar'
    (trap) of counselors like you, I would not have been able to reach this
    place." If the person who appointed me (as a governor) orders me to go, I
    will do so immediately.