Centre plans Agnipath scheme tweaks, more Agniveers may be retained: Sources
Agnipath scheme: The government is also planning changes to the emoluments and entitlements of the Agniveers.
Once bitten in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year in some key 'fauzi-jobs-friendly states' and especially Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Modi Govt is planning to bring some 'remedies' in the Agnipath recruitment scheme.
Moves may include increasing the retention percentage of Agniveers in the forces as well as make changes to the emoluments and entitlements,
These will improve the overall structure and benefits of the scheme, which has come under opposition criticism and faced protests from Army aspirants in the cow belt especially.
Haryana, which has always shown great admiration for military and uniform jobs, is going to the polls. So will be Maharashtra and Jharkhand quite soon.
The new system may allow a greater number of them to be retained (continue in serviice) in full-time service beyond their initial four-year term. Currently, only 25 per cent of Agniveers are retained after their initial service period - a number often considered insufficient by experts.
Politically this may be a game changer in Haryana polls, political analysts say.
The Army has already submitted recommendations regarding these potential changes to the government, following internal feedback and surveys conducted within various units and formations.
The overhauling process might however take time.
The Agnipath scheme was unveiled by the Centre in 2022 in an attempt to make the armed forces lean and reduce the defence pension bill. As per the scheme, personnel, known as Agniveers, are recruited to the Army, Navy and the Air Force on a short-term contract of four years.
Of the total annual recruits, only 25% are allowed to continue under a permanent commission.
However, the Agnipath scheme faced nationwide protests, with Army aspirants flagging that those leaving the service after 4 years would stare at an uncertain future.
The opposition, led by the Congress, has demanded a rollback of the scheme, while the NDA allies have sought its review.
Internal reports of the BJP also suggested that the party suffered a setback owing to the scheme.
India added 4 medals on Day 7
India have 24 medals at the end of Day 7
Paris Paralympics: Harvinder, Dharambir shine as India edge close to 25 medals
India's medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 edged closer to 25 with Harvinder Singh and Dharambir being the stars of the show on September 4, Wednesday.
Harvinder Singh and Dharambir were the stars of the show on Day 7 of the Paris Paralympics 2024 as India edged closer to the 25 medals mark on September 4, Wednesday. Harvinder created history in archery while Dharambir and compatriot Pranav Soorma completed a 1-2 in the Men's Club Throw - F51 Final.
The day started with a silver medal in the form of Sachin Khilari.
Sachin Khilari, the reigning World Champion from 2023 and 2024, secured a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics on Wednesday, September 4. Competing in the men's shot put F46 event at Stade de France, Khilari achieved a throw of 16.32m, placing him second behind Canada's Greg Stewart.
His throw set a new record for the best performance by an Asian in the men's F46 category.
Three Indian athletes participated in the event. While Khilari reached the podium, Mohd Yasser and Rohit Kumar finished 8th and 9th, with throws of 14.21m and 14.10m, respectively. Khilari, who entered the Paralympics after winning the World Championships and the Asian Games, displayed remarkable consistency by successfully completing all six of his attempts, with his best throw occurring on his second attempt.
This silver medal marks India's 11th medal in para-athletics at the Paris Paralympics, reinforcing the track and field contingent's role as the country's top medal contributor in the 2024 games.
On Wednesday, September 4, India's para-archer Harvinder Singh made history by winning the nation’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in archery at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Harvinder delivered a commanding performance in the Men's Individual Recurve Open final, defeating Poland's Lukasz Ciszek 6-0 to secure India’s fourth gold medal of the Games and their second medal of the day.
Harvinder started the final with a nearly flawless first set, scoring 9, 10, and 9, while Ciszek managed 9, 7, and 8 with his initial three arrows. The second set was closely contested, with both archers scoring 9s with their first two arrows. However, Harvinder edged ahead with a 10 against Ciszek's 9, taking a 4-0 lead.
In the third and decisive set, Harvinder sealed his victory with two 10s and a 9, while Ciszek could only score a 7 and two 9s, securing the gold for India. This victory marks Harvinder's second Paralympic medal, following his bronze in Tokyo in 2021. It also adds to India's archery success in Paris, where Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi earlier won bronze in the Mixed Team Compound Open.
Sharad Kumar’s silver and Mariyappan Thangavelu’s bronze medals in men’s high jump T63 event took the country’s tally to 20, going past the previous best mark of 19 set in Tokyo three years ago.
India has won three gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals so far in the French capital. In Tokyo, the country had finished with five gold, eight silver and six bronze medals.
Avani Lekhara and Sumit Antil defended their gold medals in women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 and men’s javelin throw F64 events, respectively while Nitesh Kumar grabbed a gold in men’s singles SL3 category in para badminton.
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