New Delhi: The Congress on Monday said Agniveers should be given the same respect as regular soldieers as it is the responsibility of the country to honour their martyrdom and take care of their families.
Its ex-servicement department's chairman Colonel Rohit Chaudry told a press conference here that the Agnipath scheme is not good for the nation nor for the youths.
He said the Modi government has split the country's soldiers into two parts, one regular soldiers and two Agniveer. "This is completely proved by the terms and conditions of Agnipath programme."
As the martyrdom of Agniveer soldiers is coming before us, questions are being raised on the Agnipath scheme, the colonel said, noting that the Army has changed the policy letter stating that Agniveer soldiers cannot be deployed in sensitive and extremely difficult situations.
Col Chaudry asked: "Will we be able to keep the country's borders safe with these restrictions? Will Agniveer soldiers be able to protect the country properly?
He said it is now happening that the Agniveers won't be posted on the borders but at the residences of the officers for their security. This is a fraud with them as neither pension, nor compensation on martyrdom, nor help to their families and their future dark after four years of employment.
