New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday again targeted the Centre over the Agniveer scheme row. Gandhi reiterated that martyred Agniveer Ajay Kumar did not get compensation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.
The Congress leader alleged the Modi government was discriminating against the Agniveers. The Leader of Opposition also a video on his X handle purportedly of the father of a deceased Agniveer who stated that his family got Rs 50 lakh as insurance from a private bank and 48 lakh from the Army Group Insurance Fund.
In the video, Gandhi said the martyr's family had not got compensation and asked why they had not got ex-gratia payment. He questioned the government why salary arrears had not been received in the bank account of the martyr's family.
"The family of martyr Agniveer Ajay Kumar has not received any compensation from the government till date. There is a difference between 'compensation' and 'insurance'. The payment has been made to the family of the martyr only by the insurance company," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.
Rahul Gandhi's Tweet:
शहीद अग्निवीर अजय कुमार जी के परिवार को आज तक सरकार की ओर से कोई Compensation नहीं मिला है। ‘Compensation’ और ‘Insurance’ में फर्क होता है, शहीद के परिवार को सिर्फ बीमा कंपनी की ओर से भुगतान किया गया है। सरकार की ओर से जो सहायता शहीद अजय कुमार के परिवार को मिलनी चाहिए थी वो… pic.twitter.com/FG99h72rhX
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 5, 2024
He further added that the family of martyr Kumar had not received the assistance that they should have received from the government.
"The family of every martyr who sacrifices his or her life for the country should be respected but the Modi government is discriminating against them. No matter what the government says, this is a matter of national security and I will keep raising it," the Congress leader stated.
In the video, the LoP said that the Opposition's INDIA Bloc would not allow the armed forces to be weakened. In the video, Gandhi also said that Kuar's family should get all the facilities and be given a pension. He said a canteen card should also be made for his family.
"Rajnath Singh said that family of martyrs have been given Rs 1 crore. We haven't got that," the father of the martyr said in the video shared by Gandhi.
The Congress leader the truth is that there are two types of martyrs in the country — normal jawan and Agniveer.
"Both would be martyred but one would get the status of a martyr while the other would not. One would get a pension, while the other would not.
"One would get canteen (facility), the other would not. If someone has laid down his or her life for the country, they should be honoured," the former Congress chief said.
On Thursday, the Congress accused Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of telling half-truths in the Lok Sabha after Gandhi raised the issue. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Chairman of the Ex-Servicemen Department in the AICC, Col (Retd) Rohit Chaudhary, and Wing Commander (Retd) Anuma Acharya demanded that the government bring in a whitepaper about the Agnipath Scheme.
However, the Centre claimed that Kumar's family had received Rs 98.39 lakh. The Army also issued a statement in this regard.
Indian Army's Statement:
The statement said: "Certain posts on social media have suggested that compensation has not been paid to the next of kin of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who lost his life in the line of duty. The Indian Army salutes the supreme sacrifice made by Agniveer Ajay Kumar. His last rites were conducted with full military honors."
"Of the total amount due, the family of Agniveer Ajay has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakh. Ex-gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately Rs 67 lakh, as per the Agniveer Scheme provisions, will be paid upon final account settlement shortly after due police verification. The total amount will be approximately Rs 1.65 crore."
"It is re-emphasized that emoluments due to a fallen hero are paid expeditiously to the next of kin of departed soldiers, including Agniveers," the statement said.
Meanwhile, during the first session of Parliament in the NDa 3.0, Gandhi criticised the Agniveer scheme.
About the Agniveer Scheme:
The Agniveer scheme, launched in 2022, aims to enlist young individuals aged 17.5 to 21 years for a four-year term in the armed forces, with provisions to retain 25 per cent of recruits for an additional 15 years. The remaining participants receive a financial package upon completion of their service. The scheme triggered nationwide protests when it was implemented.
(With inputs from PTI)