Agnipath scheme: Protests turn violent; 5 trains torched, Secunderabad Railway Station ransacked
There have also been reports of Arial firing to control the rampaging mobs. All the trains to and from Hyderabad have been reportedly canceled.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 17 Jun 2022 6:29 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Protests against the Agnipath scheme turned violent when a group of youth allegedly torched 4 to 5 trains and caused damage to Secunderabad Railway Station.
What is happening at Secunderabad Station?
In what can be called an intelligence failure, several youngsters allegedly damaged Secunderabad Railway Station and burnt trains and cargo. There have also been reports of Arial firing to control the rampaging mobs. All the trains to and from Hyderabad have been reportedly canceled.
Confirmed reports said one person was killed and two are in critical condition.
What is Agnipath Scheme?
On June 14, Union Cabinet approved an Agnipath that will allow Indian youth to serve in the armed forces. Youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers, and they will be allowed to serve in the armed forces for four years.
The government hopes to attract young talent who are more in tune with contemporary technological trends and "plow back skilled, disciplined and motivated manpower into the society.
"As for the armed forces, it will enhance the youthful profile of the armed forces and provide a fresh lease of 'Josh' and 'Jazba' whilst at the same time bring about a transformational shift towards more tech-savvy armed forces ā which is indeed the need of the hour," the government said in a press release.
The implementation of the scheme is likely to bring down the average age profile of the Indian armed forces by about 4-5 years
Compensation and benefits
Agniveers will be given a customized monthly package along with risk and hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of four years, they will be paid a one-time 'Seva Nidhi' package of Rs. 11.71 lakh that will comprise their contribution, including accrued interest thereon, and a matching contribution from the government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution, including interest.
The 'Seva Nidhi' will be exempt from Income Tax. Agniveers will not be entitled to gratuity and pensionary benefits but will be provided non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs. 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period.
Upon the completion of four years of service, based on organizational requirements and policies promulgated by the armed forces from time to time, Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment in the armed forces. The individuals, selected for enrolment in the armed forces as regular cadre, would be required to serve for a further engagement period of a minimum of 15 years and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of junior commissioned officers/other ranks in the Indian Army and their equivalent in the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and that of non-combatant enrolled in the Indian Air Force, as amended from time to time.
Why are youngsters protesting against the scheme?
Youngsters across the country have staged protests stating that the old way of recruiting into the army should be followed. They state that four years of service in the army is insufficient.
