Extended six-year service, enhanced benefits and another opportunity for permanent enrolment draw positive reactions from aspirants.
Agniveer aspirants have welcomed the Centre’s decision to extend service opportunities from four to six years, saying the changes would provide greater continuity, improved financial benefits and another opportunity to secure permanent enrolment in the Armed Forces.
Under the revised arrangement approved by the Union Cabinet, the 75 per cent of Agniveers not selected for regular enrolment after their initial four-year tenure will be offered an additional two-year engagement. At the end of six years, those willing and meeting the prescribed selection criteria will have another opportunity for regular enrolment.
Aspirants said the extended tenure would give recruits more time to demonstrate their capabilities, gain experience and pursue a permanent military career.
Arjun, an aspirant, said the additional two years would provide greater continuity and security to recruits not selected for regular enrolment after their initial tenure. “The opportunity to be considered for permanent service at the end of the extended period would also motivate Agniveers to maintain discipline, commitment and professional excellence,” he told DC.
Another aspirant, Pravina M., welcomed the enhanced remuneration, improved Seva Nidhi benefits and seniority provisions, saying these would recognise the dedication and sacrifices of young soldiers. “The growing opportunities for women Agniveers is also a great opportunity, we hope our participation to be expanded across different branches and roles, subject to service-specific requirements,” he said.
Colonel Dr Srinivasa Rao Sunkara (Retd), Telangana BJP Ex-Servicemen Cell convenor and chairman of The Soldiers Youth Foundation, welcomed the reforms, saying they reflected the government's willingness to consider feedback from young soldiers and the Armed Forces.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh and the Union Cabinet for the decision.
“An Agniveer is now not merely a four-year recruit but but will be a trained soldier with discipline, courage, commitment and a spirit of patriotism, providing a further opportunity to serve the nation and build a permanent career in the Armed Force - this is a commendable and forward-looking decision,” he said.
He said the changes would encourage more young men and women to join the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Meanwhile, the chargesheet is yet to be filed in the June 2022 Secunderabad railway station rioting and arson case, registered following protests against the announcement of the Agnipath scheme. More than 50 persons were arrested and charged in connection with the violence.
The Secunderabad Government Railway Police (GRP), which is investigating the case, seized several mobile phones belonging to aspirants and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to examine communications between them and Avula Subba Rao, owner of Sai Defence Academy, over allegations that he instigated the violence.
