EDITOR'S NOTE
This article by Col Shivaj Ranjan Ghosh is an analysis of a recent 13 pages justification piece titled ' Unwrapping the Agnipath Enigma ' written by Lt Gen Ajai Singh .
The Agnipath Scheme and the critical importance of Agniveers to improve the cutting edge of the Indian military ,especially the Army, has been much debated ever since this scheme was formulated, announced, and implemented. In fact,in the recently concluded election campaigning, there was much publicised opposition to it from the opposition parties . Now that the elections results are out and the new government is due to be sworn in, there is news about a revisit/ review of this scheme for its effectiveness on the ground.
This analysis by Col Ghosh is a point by point objective analysis to the scheme as justified by Gen Ajai Singh .Readers need to read the same accordingly and draw their own conclusions . Will this scheme actually improve the vital cutting edge of our Army at the unit and sub unit levels ?
An objective and collective feedback from all the battalion commanders should reveal the truth ! It's up to the military and political leadership to decide what's best for the country.
Editor ,MVI
Colonel (Veteran) Shivaji Ranjan Ghosh
Lt Gen Ajai Singh, a veteran with 43 years of distinguished service behind him, has written an exhaustive article that analyses, and justifies the Agnipath Scheme. I have read the article in detail, and must confess that I am not in agreement with much of what he says. My analysis is given in the table below. There are many more issues in the article that I have not commented upon, but I expect others would also be willing to add their own views on this extremely important subject.
Conclusion
I have read and re-read the article before I sat down to pen my comments. With all due respects to the author and his rank and experience, it appears to me that his arguments and his conclusions are biased by the fact that he was in service when this scheme was formulated, and he was probably a part of the think-tank that worked it out, since he makes several mentions of his interaction with various Chiefs. While there is no doubt that he has done a fair amount of research (the thesis-like layout with footnotes testify to that), not all the references are relevant or come from unbiased sources.
I am sure there are many highly learned veterans who would disagree with my views, and that is fine by me. I am aware of my limitations, not having commanded anything beyond a battalion, and therefore not being in a position to see things at a higher level. However, I would humbly like to suggest that the impact of this scheme is going to be felt at the battalion and lower levels, and therefore I speak with the passion that has been instilled in us from the Chetwode days. Dissent must be viewed positively and with an open mind. The final decision is not in our hands, but at least we can sit back and say with some satisfaction, “I tried!”
Agniveer is exploitation of Rural youth . In initial stage of Agniveer yojna , RM at Jaipur in 2020 addressed all veterans and serving All Ranks . He promised 25% retention rate and remaining shall be absorbed in CPF and private sectors .
If promise of the RM stands then Agniveer scheme is approvable.
Any change of policy there after would amount to exploitation.
Continuity of service after a clean break of four yrs is duty of Central Govt to fulfill aspirations of youth .