CONG SAYS WILL SCRAP AGNIVEER SCHEME

Opposition party alleged scheme discriminates jawans by creating parallel cadres of soldiers

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The Congress on Monday said if the party forms the government at the Centre after the upcoming general election it will scrap the Agniveer scheme as it is detrimental to the country’s defence interest and also to the youth aspiring to join the defence forces

The Opposition party said about two lakh youth from across the country who were selected for defence service before the introduction of the scheme but were later denied joining. The party wanted them to be allowed to join the services immediately.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention in her capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. He said these young men and women had been selected for service with the Indian Armed Forces but were cruelly denied the opportunity to serve their country after the Agnipath scheme.

The party also held a press conference addressed by senior leaders including Sachin Pilot, Deepender Hooda and Pawan Khera demanding scrapping of the Agnipath scheme and immediate induction of the selected youth in the defence services. .