Listened to the Press briefing of three chiefs yesterday, It would be inappropriate to comment on what they said in favour of the Govt’s Agnipath policy because , being a Govt servant, they had to do this. But , there are few uncomfortable questions and suggestions that need to be pondered by the Govt ;
One, Is Agniveer, that is, recruiting Contractual soldiers for a period of 4 years, is the only possible option that is available to bring down the average age of a soldier.
Suggestion ; Although it is not a new one, but is being discussed in army since 80s ; Abolish the rank of Subedar/Naib Subedar who is around 45 years -52 years of age and the average age of army would automatically come down.
We will have young ones commanding Platoons.
Two. Why do we need a Subedar in current times, an old man as Platoon commander who is the bedrock of a fighting force. How can an old man lead his Platoon into a battle.
Suggestion ; You should have a young man leading a Platoon which is the most important fighting subunit. What an irony the Commanding Officer is around 38 years old, Company Commanders are in late 20s or early 30s and the Platoon Commander is in 40s or 50s.
So a Havildar must be made capable to lead a Platoon like it happens in US army and most of the armies where he is called as SERGEANT. AND GIVEN THE SAME SALARY AS PAID TO THE SUBEDAR.
Three. How did the armed forces reduce the average age of a Commanding officer from 43years to 39 years , over a period of time?, The same can be done with Jawans.
Suggestion ; The armed forces abolished lieutenant’s rank, expedited the promotions which were time bound, till Lieutenant colonel, As a result, today we have Lieutenant Colonels with just 13 years service and Majors with 6 years service. Why cann’t we do the same with JAWANS. In many regiments, today, it is so damn difficult to become a Havildar even after serving 15 years, because there is a Congestion. Why don’t we decongest the same instead of doing this hara-kiri.
Four. Why can’t we Train our men extensively so that by 10 years of service a Jawan is able to become a Havildar ?
Suggestion ; If he is made capable he would be able to lead a Platoon at the age of 30 years for five years and then moved laterally for staff duties and rest who don’t make it can leave the organization. After that what the Govt is proposing to Agniveers they can do the same with the Havildar, who will still be young. Your average age of combatants will come down automatically.
Five. Indian army won 1965 war, ‘71 war, Kargil war, Did we achieve those feats with AGNIVEERS ; the contractual staff or the same guys whom we today say they are over aged.
Suggestion ; Many of the battles were fought in world’s most difficult terrain , if our jawans were good enough to beat the enemy why cann’t we with little changes as mentioned above can continue with same system which has stood the test of the time ?
Conclusion.
For many many years this was being discussed that the rank of a Subedar is a British gift. Subedars(JUNIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS) were needed because the British wanted an educated Man as a link between their English speaking officers and the jawans, but now this rank can be done away with because our jawans are well educated now and there is no such link needed now between the Jawan and the officer. But we kept delaying this change , now in the guise of innovation we are disturbing the whole set up.
In the guise of INNOVATION lets not fool the country and ruin a fine organization.
PM’s statement that Agniveers will do great service to the nation is not palatable because much better contribution can be given by a Havildar who retires after 15 years service rather than some one who has worked with army for 4 years.
As regards , allurement by industry that they will offer jobs is sheer bogus because at most they can employ them as a security guard.