'Recruitment soon': Union ministers thank PM for Agnipath scheme amid nationwide protests

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked PM Modi for the Agnipath scheme amid nationwide protests.

While at least eight states have been rocked by the massive protests over the Agnipath scheme by the Centre, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the military recruitment scheme. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the recruitment process would begin soon.

The Centre on June 14 unveiled the Agnipath scheme - a new short-term recruitment policy for Indian youth to serve in the armed forces. The scheme aimed to allow youngsters aged 17.5 to 21 to be inducted into any of the three services of the military as “Agniveers” for a period of four years. However, in a one-time waiver, the Central government on Thursday increased the upper age limit for the Agnipath scheme from 21 to 23 years.

While thanking the PM, Amit Shah wrote on Twitter that the recruitment process in the army was affected due to the pandemic, so the Prime Minister gave a two-year concession.

, @narendramodi ‘ ’ 21 23

The Home minister said, "A large number of youth will be benefited by this decision and through Agneepath scheme, they will move forward in the direction of service to the country and their bright future. Thank you Modi ji."