Agnipath scheme sets new exit payouts for Agniveers
NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff Gen N S Raja Subramani, while announcing major reforms in the Agnipath scheme on Wednesday, explained different aspects of the reforms made in the scheme related to Agniveers. However, there are certain doubts among people related to salaries, Seva Nidhi payments and seniority status. “Of the three lakh Agniveers, those who want to exit the force after the completion of four years, will get Rs 10.04 lakh (5.02 lakh of their contribution in 4 years and an equal amount from govt) along with accrued interest as part of the Seva Nidhi package,” defence officials told TOI. “Around 25% of the Agniveers who have completed the 4-yr period and who will be absorbed as regular soldiers in the armed forces, will get Rs 5.02 lakh and thereafter they will get regular salaries and will be entitled to gratuity, pension and other benefits,” officials said. “As per new changes, 75% will get an opportunity to do an additional two years of the second engagement (4+ 2 years) with the force. Those who plan to leave the force after 6 years will get a total of Rs 15.94 lakh (Rs 5.02 lakh for first 4 years of service and Rs 10.92 lakh for extra 2 years that will include theirs and govt’s contribution collectively),” the officials informed TOI. About seniority of Agniveers, the officials clarified, “Their seniority is protected. On becoming regulars, they will be placed immediately after their own batchmates who joined the regular cadre after four years. They will therefore not become junior to any subsequent batch.” The officials clarified the reforms do not mean “the scheme has been rolled back”. “Only another engagement period of two years has been introduced, which creates a pathway for all Agniveers to be absorbed as regular soldiers after this engagement period,” they said.
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