LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has announced that he will cancel the Agnipath scheme implemented by the Modi government as soon as they come to power at the Centre. Akhilesh Yadav's reaction came after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that reservation would be introduced for retired Agniveers.

During the Lok Sabha election campaign, the India front and the Samajwadi Party had announced that they would cancel the Agniveer scheme if they came to power. "As soon as we come to power, 'Agniveer' army recruitment, which compromises national security and plays with the future of soldiers, will be cancelled within 24 hours. The old recruitment model will be restored' - Akhilesh Yadav said in an X post.

What is Agnipath scheme?

Central government introduced the Agnipath scheme in 2022 to recruit youth between the ages of 17 and 21 in the Army, Navy and Air Force. The appointment is on contract basis for four years. 25 percent of each batch can continue in regular service after the contract period is over.

Those who are selected for this are known as Agniveers. They are given six months of training followed by three and a half years of posting. Salary is Rs 30,000 per month. 11.71 lakhs will also be given on retirement from service after four years.