The Centre has given a 10 per cent quota and upper age limit relaxation to Agniveers for recruitment into the Central Armed Police Forces. How will the CAPFs benefit from Agnipath?
The paramilitary forces will get trained personnel at the pre-recruitment stage itself, which saves time and training costs. As the Agniveers will not be raw, we will already know their skills. With a short re-orientation, the Agniveer can become an asset to the CAPFs.
How do CAPFs benefit from the scheme compared to direct recruits?
The paramilitary forces will get the benefit of having trained personnel at the pre-recruitment stage itself, which saves the usual time taken to hire recruits and save the training costs involved before new recruits can be deployed on the field. Since Agniveers will not be raw and would have the experience, we will already know their skills. With a short re-orientation, the Agniveer can become an asset to the CAPF. These personnel will also have the spirit to perform .
How will it help in job creation?
While it provides employment opportunities to youth, it will also help fill up the vacancies in CAPFs. There are around 15,000 vacancies in the CRPF at the force level.
Why do you think there are nationwide protests against it?
To say that their future will be uncertain is a wrong narrative being built by inimical elements. For those who had genuine concerns, the government has explained the rationale behind the short-term recruitment.
Is there a danger of Agniveers becoming potential targets for espionage?
I do not think so. The Agniveers shall be imbibed with the value system and ethos of the Indian forces.
There is scepticism that the new short-term recruits will learn only odd jobs in the armed forces?
Why are we sceptical at the first possible opportunity? World over, this is the method being followed. I think it is only misinformation that is leading to protests.
What is the focus of the CRPF today ? Is it only training it’s personnel in law and order duties or is it focussing on cyber capabilities and new age warfare too?
With the changing dynamics of national security, which gradually began shifting from the border pillars to the various grids of internal security, the government reposed its firm faith on CRPF and pinned the internal security duties on the shoulders of this much dependable, people friendly force. These newer challenges demanded fresh vision and renewed operational tactics. Today, CRPF has its footprints in almost all parts of the country, rendering service to the nation, in one form or the other.
Apart from their traditional role, law enforcement agencies have an arduous task of safeguarding the citizens from cyber criminals ensuring a safe cyber experience. The cyber infrastructure in CRPF is evolving continuously, covering all aspects of government, public, and private functioning, including infrastructural safeguards with the ever-changing scenario.
What are the technological advancements being made ?
To maintain an edge in our capability over potential opponents, constant efforts are required to upgrade technology. CRPF is switching to sophisticated technical equipments like use of various cameras, thermal scanners, NVDs, UAVs, Anti- Drone System, upgraded version of bullet-proof vehicles etc. Apart from this software based transfer posting, mobile app for all personnel, e- office (Paperless Office Management) are some of the initiatives which are taken to keep pace with digital world.
Being the largest paramilitary force, the CRPF will have the biggest chunk of Agniveers. How different is the training in the armed forces and the CRPF?
The armed forces train with the enemy in mind while the CAPFs have a different mandate. While physical fitness and mental strength are mainstays in both, the conditions in which the forces operate are very different.
What kind of training will be given to the Agniveers joining the CRPF?
The CRPF has its own training centres catering to the basic training of constables, sub-inspectors and officers. We ensure that the personnel are put through rigorous in-service courses to enhance and upgrade their knowledge in keeping with the times. The challenges in various parts of the country are fundamentally different. We put our personnel through pre-induction training whenever they are deployed in a new theatre. It is important for us to ensure that the men on ground know exactly how to react. The CRPF has a history of being able to quickly shift gears and work on the security grid. I am sure the Agniveers will soon become part of our fighting force.