Agnipath scheme: Defence Minister holds meeting with service chiefs amid protests

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with defence service chiefs amid countrywide protests against the central government’s Agnipath scheme. The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pande, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Vice Chief of Army Staff General B S Raju.

The meeting was called to discuss about the Agnipath recruitment scheme. Hints suggest that the central government is planning to move ahead with the scheme even amid protests across the country.

The Agnipath scheme, which entails recruitment into the armed forces with the goal of deploying fitter and younger troops on the front lines, was approved by the cabinet, two days ago. Following which, protests erupted across the country. So far, widespread protests were reported in eight states. One person was killed in the violence.