Punjab Assembly passes resolution against ‘Agnipath’ defence recruitment scheme

Participating in the discussion on the resolution, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said he will soon raise the issue of Agnipath scheme with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.

The Punjab Assembly on June 30 passed a resolution against the Centre's Agnipath defence recruitment scheme. Two BJP legislators Ashwani Sharma and Jangi Lal Mahajan opposed the resolution. The resolution was moved in the House by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Participating in the discussion on the resolution, Mr. Mann said he will soon raise the issue of Agnipath scheme with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. Vehemently opposing the Agnipath scheme, Mr. Mann said this scheme was against the country's youth.

Leader of Opposition and Congress Legislator Partap Singh Bajwa demanded that the Agnipath scheme should be withdrawn. Akali MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali supported the resolution and demanded the scheme's roll back.

According to the resolution, the House recommends to the State government to take up the matter with the Union government in order to roll back the Agnipath scheme immediately.

"The unilateral announcement of the Agnipath scheme by the Government of India has witnessed widespread reactions in all States, including Punjab," said Mr. Mann while reading the resolution.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha strongly feels that the scheme where youth will be employed only for a period of four years and only up to 25% will be retained, is neither in the best interests of national security nor of the youth of this country.

"This policy is likely to create dissatisfaction among the youth who wish to serve the armed forces of the nation for a lifetime," said Mr. Mann.