New Delhi, June 21 (Agency)
Regarding the Agneepath scheme, the Army on Tuesday clarified that the recruitment process will remain unchanged and the traditional regimental system will continue. Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Lt Gen Anil Puri, told a press conference of the three wings of the Army that it was a much-needed reform. He said the scheme is the result of long-standing consultations within the three services and the Defense Ministry, apart from deliberations between several departments of the government. Puri said that since 1989 various committees had made recommendations on similar lines and all stakeholders were involved in finalizing the Agneepath plan.
In view of violence against the plan by youths at several places, Puri said that all applicants of Agneepath will have to give an undertaking that they were not part of any violence. “There is no place for arson and violence in the armed forces,” he said. Referring to police verification, he said that it has always been a part of the recruitment process. Puri said that due to the reforms being carried out in the army, the nature of commanding officers has become youthful. Now soldiers will also have a youthful form. An official said Agneepath will improve the combat capabilities of the army. Officials said Agniveer would be eligible for the gallantry award.
Agreement for deployment on merchant ships
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Directorate General of Shipping and the Navy to benefit the personnel retiring from the Indian Navy and provide them an opportunity to work on Merchant Ships. The Directorate General of Shipping has issued an order detailing 16 schemes for naval personnel in the Merchant Navy, an official statement said.
