What is the Agniveer scheme? Why has it become so contentious among BJP allies?

The BJP’s Agniveer scheme is back in the spotlight.

As the BJP and its National Democratic Alliance allies discuss the government formation ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in, the Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have asked for the scheme to be reviewed.

The JD(U) while assuring the BJP of its ‘unconditional support’ wanted ‘shortcomings’ in the scheme to be discussed.

“A section of voters has been upset over the Agniveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed…On UCC, as the national president of the party, CM had written to the Law Commission chief. We are not against it but a solution should be found by talking to all stakeholders,” JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi told News18.

The Times of India quoted Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat as saying, “…Rajnath Singh ji had given a statement on this and had stated about review (if needed)…”

Meanwhile, LJP leader Chirag Paswan told NDTV his party is also in favour of a relook at the scheme.

The development comes in the aftermath of the BJP getting 240 seats in the Lok Sabha polls and thus needing the help of its NDA allies to form the government.

But what is the Agniveer scheme? Why has it become such a subject of contention among allies?

Let’s take a closer look:

What is it?

The scheme was introduced by the Centre in June 2022.

Under it, youth between 17-and-a-half years to 21 years are be recruited.

However, unlike the soldiers in the Indian Army, these ‘Agniveers’ are taken on a contractual basis.

They  only serve for four years.

According to News18, after their period of service the Agniveers would join civil society.

Here, they could put their skills towards building the nation.

The Agniveers would be given a certificate as well as a ‘Seva Nidhi’ of Rs 11.71 lakh.

Also, only 25 per cent of Agniveers will be inducted into the armed forces.

According to News18, these Agniveers would be engaged for a 15-year period as Junior Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army and at an equivalent post in the navy and air force.

Why has it become so contentious?

The scheme has been criticised since its inception.

Critics of the scheme including many youths pointed out that it leaves 75 per cent of recruits out in the cold.

According to News18, those against this scheme have pointed out that it offers no gratuity or retirement benefits.

They have also raised question against the four-year period of service that they undergo – and what happens to the 75 per cent after they exit the scheme.

They also want the upper age limit of the Agniveers to be raised to 23.

It seems that the BJP’s NDA allies are among those concerned about the scheme and its impact with the public.

As Paswan told NDTV, “Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has said the platform is open for discussions. I believe that we must revisit how much we could deliver through Agniveer, because this is something related to the youth of our country. A review must be done. But these things can be kept on hold for a while, government formation is happening and after that, we can sit and discuss these things.”

The Hindu reported that Bihar would have Indian Army recruitment recruitment rallies yearly.

The state, in the three years prior to 2022, contributed around 10,000 soldier to the Indian Army.

Students would even form groups of 50 to 60 to train for the army in every village.

Thus the interest of the JD(U) in the scheme.

However, the Centre has attempted to assuage such concerns.

‘Open to change’

News18 reported that the Centre is considering raising the age of those that can be recruited under this scheme to 23.

It is also apparently considering increasing the percentage of those retained to 50 per cent.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh in March said the Centre is “open to change.”

“Sena mein youthfulness honi chahiye. The youth, I feel, are more enthusiastic. They are more tech-savvy. We have taken proper care that their future is also secure. We will also make changes if there is a need,” Singh said.

The Centre previously said that those not retained would be given preference in government jobs.

The government also announced the launch of a special three-year skill based bachelor degree programme for Agniveers offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Home minister Amit Shah also previously announced that the retiring Agniveers would get first preference for recruitment into the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles.

With inputs from agencies