Lagatar24 Desk
Chandigarh, June 30: A resolution opposing the Agnipath defence recruitment programme from the Centre was approved by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday.
However, the resolution was opposed by two BJP lawmakers, Jangi Lal Mahajan and Ashwani Sharma. Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister, introduced the resolution in the House.
After the Center launched the Agnipath initiative to enlist young people between the ages of 17 and 21 in the army, navy, and air force, mostly on a four-year contractual basis, protests broke out in a number of regions of the nation, notably Punjab and Haryana. Later, it lowered this year’s recruitment’s maximum age to 23.
Amit Shah, the Union home minister, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be contacted about the Agnipath plan, Mann said while taking part in the discussion on the motion. He claimed that because the plan had been unilaterally announced, there had been widespread criticism and protests.
“This scheme is against the country’s youth. It’s likely to create dissatisfaction among those who wish to serve the armed forces of the nation for a long time,” he said.
The House requested that the Centre cancel the programme and hire young members of the armed forces on a long-term basis as they train for years to wear uniforms.
Manpreet Singh Ayali, an MLA for the Shiromani Akali Dal, backed the motion and called for the cancellation of the plan.
