“The JD(U) —wanted ‘shortcomings’ in the scheme to be discussed. Our party wants those shortcomings that have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed…” KC Tyagi , Gen Secretary JD (U)
All hierarchical organisations have pyramidal structures. It implies that some employees keep falling at different stages as they climb up the pyramid. Those who fall are considered as “Persona Non-Grata”. In other words, they become dead - wood and serve no better purpose.
This is why in the earlier days, there was a “reservist scheme” in the profession of soldiers. After color service, those who were not fit used to go home as “ reserves”. They did not get a pension.
The opponents of the Agniveer scheme hold a view that soldiers be retained beyond their level of incompetence. It is like saying that every Lieutenant who gets commissioned should retire as a General, which is disallowed by the pyramidal structure. So, this “deadwood” keeps hanging until superannuation.
To be frank, opposition to the Agneevir scheme is due to non-pensionable characteristics. All other connected issues, such as poor soldiers, social menace after being released, etc, are far-fetched arguments. If a “terrorist” can perform well after a few days of training, why not a systematically trained “Agniveer”?
The scheme provides that 25% would be retained and 75% would be released with an adequate financial package of ₹12-15 Lakhs. Those who are retained would serve till their superannuation— not each one will attain the highest rank. Even if all of them were capable of it, only one would reach the top, others would go home.
There is no doubt that any new scheme would have initial teething problems. They can be overcome. It is folly to outrightly reject such schemes without trials. A recent statement by the General Secretary of JD (U) above, a constituent of the NDA government, has clarified that the party was not against the scheme. It wanted the “Shortcomings” to be discussed and removed. It is a fair statement.
The worst is that the Agniveer scheme was unnecessarily politicised because of vote bank politics. The main objection is the release of soldiers after four years of service. This can be resolved by discussing the issue as suggested by JD (U) General Secretary, KC Tyagi.
In order to make it more attractive, one of the options is to exercise lateral induction. It is proposed that there should be an assured 100% lateral induction into para-military forces, such as CRPF, CISF, BSF, SB Rashtriya Rifles, or even States police Force. Thus, all of them would get trained and disciplined professionals.
Secondly, Agniveer's service span be increased from 4 to 7 years. The last two years of non-retention be given to him to enhance his educational qualifications or other technical skills, which can be useful in getting employment in the civil field.
Penultimately, I am of the view that the scheme should be viewed positively, and attending lacunae should be overcome, with a cool mind. Let us not make the military an employment agency of “non-desirables” from the point of view of the profile of a future war.
It may be noted that future wars are going to be fought more with “technical abundance” than “human paramountcy”. The manpower needs of the armed forces will be considerably reduced. The era of non-contact wars has emerged with the incoming of BVR weapons systems such as Missiles, Drones, laser weapons, and AI (Artificial Intelligence).
AI systems are even leading to “Invisible wars” - a step beyond “non-contact wars”.
Invisible war aims at internal destabilization of your adversary rather than causing physical destruction.
Remember Sun Tzu, the Chinese military thinker who said: “To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”
Therefore, non- use of force to destroy your enemy is the emerging trend in 21st century warfare. Herein lay the role of AI & Cyber warfare to exploit the inner vulnerability of your adversary. Therefore, the need was for technically qualified soldiers of LAMA (Lean and Mean Army). It is in this context that we must understand the usefulness of Agniveers.
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