Agnipath scheme: No question of rollback: NSA Ajit Doval

Ajit Doval asserted that the scheme was in line with one of Narendra Modi-government’s prime priorities to make the country secure.

New Delhi: As the announcement of the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the armed forces prompted violent protests across the country, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval Tuesday said the scheme must be looked at from a perspective and not as a standalone scheme.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Doval dismissed speculations that the scheme would be withdrawn. “There’s no question of a rollback. This (Agnipath scheme) is not a kneejerk reaction that has come overnight. This has been discussed and debated for decades… While everybody realised it was necessary, no one had the will or the ability to take the risk. It needed a leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said if this is what will make India strong and secure then no risk is big enough, no cost is high enough.”

Doval asserted that the scheme was in line with one of Narendra Modi government’s prime priorities to make the country secure. This, he said, included a multitude of steps involving equipment, changes in the system and technology, and futuristic policies.

Violent protests have erupted in several parts of the country since June 14 when the Agnipath scheme was first announced by the central government with several states witnessing the burning of trains, vandalisation of public property and blocking of national highways by agitators. Aspirants have raised job security and post-service benefits as their major concerns.