Agnipath scheme: What Army chief General Manoj Pande said on protests

New Delhi: Army chief General Manoj Pande on Friday reacted to the violence that erupted after the Centre announced the Agnipath army recruitment scheme. He said the army aspirants' angst was the result of improper information. He said once the aspirants come to know about the merits of the Agniveer scheme, they will develop faith in it.

The Centre on Tuesday announced that under the Agnipath scheme, soldiers will be recruited for a duration of 4 years. Only 25 percent of the recruits will be considered for the full 15-years service. The government also revoked the pension benefit. However, it said those exiting the armed forces after four years will receive a substantial lump sum amount and they will receive after-service support. The aspirants, however, are miffed with the proposed changes, chiefly the lowered duration of service and the discontinuation of pension.

"I feel that the youth do not know all the information on the Agnipath Scheme. Once they get to know about the scheme, they will have faith that this scheme is not only for the youth but is also beneficial to all," General Pande said. 

General Pande said the first Agniveer will join the Army by as early as December. He said the first batch of the personnel will be available for deployment by the middle of the next year.

He said the recruitment process has been set in motion.   

"Within the next 2 days, notification will be issued on http://joinindianarmy.nic.in. After that our Army recruitment organisations will declare a detailed schedule of registration and rally," he added. 

Army aspirants have been holding protests in many cities. In Bihar, they reportedly set at least 20 coaches on fire. At the Secunderabad railway station in Telangana, one person was allegedly killed in police firing.

With inputs from ANI