Congress hits out at BJP over Agniveer service extension reversal

The Congress party launched a sharp political attack on the government's decision to extend the service period for Agniveers, characterizing the move as a tacit admission of flaws in the original recruitment framework. Party leaders contended that the extension represents a significant policy reversal that aligns with concerns repeatedly raised by opposition figures, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, since the scheme's inception.

The Agnipath scheme, introduced as a major military recruitment initiative, has faced sustained opposition from various political quarters over concerns about job security and long-term career prospects for recruits. The government's decision to extend the tenure period has reignited debate about whether the original policy design adequately addressed these concerns.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has called for the positions to be made permanent, adding to the growing political pressure on the government to further modify the scheme's terms. The SP's stance reflects broader concerns among opposition parties about the precarious employment situation created by the limited tenure structure.

The extension of Agniveer service tenure marks a notable adjustment to a policy that was initially rolled out with considerable fanfare by the BJP-led government as a transformative approach to armed forces recruitment.