The impact of Agnipath
The article has been authored by MP Nathanael, an inspector general of police (retd), CRPF
No sooner had the defence ministry came out with its much-awaited Agnipath scheme – earlier initiated as Tour on Duty - completely overhauling the recruitment, training, even the pay packets and short retention of those who will be inducted intod the efence services in future, came a statement from the ministry of home affairs that those released from the defence services after their brief stint will be given preference in recruitment to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). It has led to a flutter in the CAPFs. The CAPFs comprise of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) and the Assam Rifles – the oldest paramilitary force under the operational control of the Indian Army, largely deployed in the northeastern states.
While most Army veterans have articulated their dismay and the deleterious effect it would have on the ethos and the regimentation of the defence services more particularly the Army, there are tremors in the CAPFs about the vexatious questions that would arise after the implementation of the scheme. The CAPFs have had a very bitter and unpleasant experience in the past particularly among the officers’ ranks. While the bitterness gradually faded with the Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs) retiring in droves in the late 90s and early part of this century, the ECOs versus Direct Officers tussle in CAPFs left acrimonious memories behind. Seniority of officers from both streams of entry led to a see saw battle as they knocked the doors of the court claiming seniority. More time was spent in litigations than attending to their official callings.
In the Agnipath scheme,75% of the strength whose services will be dispensed with, will attempt to gain entry in the CAPFs thereby upsetting the applecart of seniority in these forces. At the stage of their initial entry in CAPFs, even if they are clearly informed that their past service in defence services will not be counted, they will choose to knock the doors of the court after some years claiming that their past service be counted. Also, that they be accorded the seniority accordingly, thereby creating avoidable acrimony among the ranks. The element of groupism would thus creep in, dividing the personnel into ex-Army and direct recruits. While the direct recruits would look down upon them as the rejects of the defence services and even taunt them, the ex-Army personnel would boast of their previous service.
The nature of duties in CAPFs, more particularly in CRPF and ITBP, being more arduous than the duties in Army, a sense of frustration would set in which could lead to ugly incidents.
While the Ministry of Education would be opening the portals for these personnel to acquire degrees even while in service for better openings in the job market after they are discharged, it needs to be pondered whether they would be able to spare time for study and given leave frequently for examinations. Perforce, officers will have to be liberal in sanctioning leave in keeping with the government policy. Out of four years that they may serve in defence services, over a year will be spent on leave, which would leave them with just about a little over two years of actual service.
Some of the veterans are of the view that it was the youngsters who bravely fought in the Kargil war and even in the 1971 war and hence the induction of young boys will be conducive in fighting the enemies. This does not discount the fact that there were other soldiers too of a higher age group.
While the personnel in the Army are taught to shoot to kill the enemy as their role demands that, it is hammered into the personnel in CAPFs that they are to use minimum force in dealing with anti-social elements. It calls for a psyche of different kind and training to handle our own people.
It would be better to offer the services of youngsters who are discharged after four years’ service to private security agencies as this is a flourishing industry and the demand for well-trained security personnel is bound to rise in years ahead.
The chief ministers of Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have offered to induct the personnel discharged from defence services into their state police services. It would be advisable to put such personnel through intensive psychological tests so that personnel with aggressive temperament are kept out.
Though those discharged from the defence forces could be allowed to appear in recruitment tests of CAPFs, they should be treated at par with direct recruits only with no additional benefits for having served in the Army.
The article has been authored by MP Nathanael, an inspector general of police (retd), CRPF.