Three defence chiefs to meet PM Modi over Agnipath scheme: reports

The three service chiefs are likely to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately on Tuesday to brief him about the Agnipath scheme as well as their plan for its implementation.

The meetings are being planned amid widespread protests in several states against the new military recruitment scheme.

According to a PTI report, the chiefs would apprise the prime minister about various aspects of implementation of the scheme.

Several parts of the country witnessed violent protests after the new military recruitment model was announced on June 14.

The Agnipath scheme provides for recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

Days later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022. The personnel to be recruited under the new scheme will be known as 'Agniveers'.

Several opposition parties as well as military veterans criticised the scheme questioning the four-year-tenure for 75 per cent of the recruits.

The government has been strongly defending the scheme, saying the "transformative reform" measure for recruitment into the armed forces will provide an opportunity to the youth to serve the nation.

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