Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: The family of an Agniveer from Maharashtra, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty last year, has confirmed receiving Rs 1.08 crore in assistance from the government. This statement followed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s announcement on July 1 that Agniveers who die serving their country are entitled to Rs 1 crore in compensation.
Rajnath Singh made this declaration in response to comments by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who criticized the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, alleging that the government treats Agniveers as “use-and-throw labourers” and fails to recognize them as “shaheeds” (martyrs).
Agniveer Akshay Gawate, hailing from Pimpalgaon Sarai in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, died in Siachen on October 21, 2023. Speaking to reporters, his father, Lakshman Gawate, detailed the compensation received: “We got Rs 48 lakh as his insurance cover, Rs 50 lakh from the central government, and Rs 10 lakh from the state government.” He also called for a government job for Akshay’s sister.
The family’s comments were made in response to questions about the support they received following Akshay’s death.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced on June 14, 2022, recruits youths aged 17-and-a-half to 21 years for a four-year service term, with an option to retain 25% of them for an additional 15 years. Later that year, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years.
