If Agniveers don't get pension, why…’: Varun Gandhi’s fresh criticism of Agnipath scheme

Unveiled on June 14, the scheme provides for the recruitment of youth between the age group of 17-and-a-half-years to 21 in the armed forces for only four years on a contractual basis with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. Those recruited under the scheme will not get pension and health benefits.

TN National Desk

Updated Jun 25, 2022, 08:04 IST

Varun Gandhi

Photo : PTI

Pilibhit: BJP MP Varun Gandhi Friday asked why should public representatives or MPs and MLAs get pension if those inducted into the armed forces under the Centre's new recruitment scheme 'Agnipath' are not eligible for this post-retirement benefit.

Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022 as the protests across the country escalated. Youth who will be recruited under the scheme will be called Agniveer.

Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said when Agniveers are not entitled to any pension after four years then why public representatives should get this facility.

The BJP MP also said that he was ready to give up his pension if those who will be recruited under Agnipath will not be entitled to the benefit.

"If Agniveers who serve for a short period of time are not entitled to a pension, then why this 'facility' should be for public representatives? If those who protect the country do not have the right to pension then I am also ready to forego mine," the Pilibhit MP said in a tweet in Hindi.

"Can we, the MLAs/MPs, give up our pension to ensure that Agniveers get a pension," Gandhi said.

The BJP MP has been vocally criticising the scheme since it was unveiled by the Centre. Earlier, he had come out in support of students protesting against the defence recruitment scheme, but had urged them to follow the path of non-violence.

Several states across the country witnessed violent protests last week, with youth hitting the streets, torching vehicles and trains and blocking and damaging railway tracks to express their dissatisfaction.

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