Agnipath Scheme: The huge imbroglio across the Agnipath Scheme, rolled out on June 14, 2022, reached its peak when the Chief of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi shared a video of the daddy of fallen Agniveer Ajay Singh, refuting claims made by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that they haven’t obtained any compensation from the Centre, as was promised to them beneath the programme. He additionally requested for the scheme to be scrapped.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Military each claimed that the household of the Agniveer, who died throughout a landmine blast within the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir this yr in January, was given a compensation Rs 98.29 lakhs whereas an extra sum to the tune of Rs 67 lakhs, shall be paid after “vital inquiry and inside procedures”, the Ministry of Defence mentioned in casual inputs to the media.
“That is to place at Relaxation sure deceptive reviews that appeared in a piece of media concerning compensation obtained by the household of Agniveer Ajay Singh After his unlucky demise. It could be famous that Agniveer Ajay Singh died in a landmine blast in January earlier this yr in Naushera sector. His household obtained as compensation Rs 98,39,000 thus far. After completion of vital inquiry and inside procedures, they may get an extra sum to the tune of Rs 67 lakhs,” the Defence Ministry mentioned.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday mentioned on X, “Indian Military is dedicated for the welfare of Agniveers!”
Singh, who hailed from Ludhiana, was on a routine patrolling obligation when the blast passed off. Two extra troopers of the Indian Military have been additionally injured within the blast. Singh, 23 years outdated when he obtained killed on the Line of Management (LoC), was survived by his dad and mom and 6 sisters.
Supporting MoD’s claims, the Indian Military additionally issued a press release during which it mentioned, “Of the entire quantity due, the household of Agniveer Ajay has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakhs. Ex – Gratia and different advantages amounting to roughly 67 lakhs, as relevant in accordance with the provisions of the Agniveer Scheme, shall be paid on Last Account Settlement shortly submit due Police verification. The overall quantity shall be Rs 1.65 Cr roughly.”
The Military additionally mentioned that the final rites of Singh have been carried out with full army honours.
“It’s re-emphasised that emoluments on account of a fallen hero are paid expeditiously to the Subsequent of Kin of departed troopers, together with Agniveers,” the Military added.
The Defence Ministry in addition to the Indian Military have been reacting to a submit shared by Gandhi on X late Wednesday night after the Parliament session concluded, the place Agniveer Singh’s father rejected the claims made by the Defence Minister within the Parliament on Monday and mentioned they didn’t get any compensation. He additionally requested for the scheme to be scrapped.
सत्य की रक्षा हर धर्म का आधार है!
लेकिन रक्षा मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह ने शहीद अग्निवीर के परिवार को सहायता मिलने के बारे में संसद में झूठ बोला।
उनके झूठ पर शहीद अग्निवीर अजय सिंह के पिता जी ने खुद सच्चाई बताई है।
रक्षा मंत्री को संसद, देश, सेना और शहीद अग्निवीर अजय सिंह जी के… pic.twitter.com/H2odxpfyOO
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2024
The household had earlier claimed that they obtained compensation solely from the Punjab authorities however not from the Centre.
“The Defence Minister has lied to the Parliament, to martyred Ajay Singh’s household, to the Agniveers, to the Indian Military and to the youth of the nation,” Gandhi mentioned within the submit.
Agniveers As ‘Use-and-Throw Labourers’
On Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Gandhi sparred within the Parliament over compensation meant for the Agniveers in comparison with an everyday soldier within the Indian armed forces.
Gandhi showered accusations on Narendra Modi authorities for not pondering via the scheme and that the federal government treats the Agniveers as “use-and-throw labourers” by not giving them the standing of a “shaheed” (martyr).
Vehemently denying the claims made by Gandhi, the Defence Minister sought to defend the scheme, which was unveiled by him, and mentioned the household was compensated. He mentioned,
In keeping with the Agnipath Scheme, the age restrict for the candidates needs to be inside 17.5 years to 21 years. Upon completion of 4 years of service solely 25 p.c of the Agniveers shall be inducted into the forces whereas the remaining 75 per cent shall be despatched house with a closing package deal of Rs. 11.71 lakhs, exempt from taxes, often known as the Seva Nidhi Fund. This can be a one-time cost that Agniveers obtain. In comparison with this, an Indian Military soldier will get a lifelong pension.
Up to now, round 53,000 Agniveers have both been inducted within the tri-services – Military, Navy and Air Power – or are present process coaching. Upon demise on the road of obligation, an Agniveer will get one-time compensation of Rs. 1 crore, wage for the remaining interval of as much as 4 years of service and the Seva Nidhi Fund.
Then again, the common soldier will get a plethora of emoluments, which incorporates Rs. 50 lakh insurance coverage, Rs. 25-45 lakhs ex-gratia, reservation in authorities jobs and help for kids’s training, amongst numerous different advantages.