Supaul/Patna : Former Union minister and former Union Home Secretary Raj Kumar Singh, popularly known as RK Singh, has again questioned the Centre’s Agniveer recruitment scheme, describing it as the wrong decision and announcing that he will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
Singh was speaking at an ex-servicemen’s felicitation ceremony organised at Adarsh Middle School in Abhuar village of Kishanpur block in Bihar’s Supaul district. He also spoke about India’s military preparedness, corruption and the role of retired soldiers in society.
Referring to the Agnipath scheme, Singh said he had previously expressed his concerns and written about the matter. He said he would once again communicate his views to the Prime Minister.
Calls for Greater Focus on Military Strength
Singh said military strength was more important than economic power for a country’s security, arguing that economic development must go hand in hand with stronger defence capabilities.
He said a country could become truly prosperous only when its armed forces were sufficiently strong. He also stressed the need to accelerate military modernisation and equip the armed forces with modern resources.
Referring to the rationale of the Agniveer scheme, including pension and other expenditure, Singh said the approach towards defence spending and military strength had changed over time. He recalled earlier discussions around India’s defence budget in comparison with those of China and Pakistan.
He also referred to the United States’ military action against Iran, arguing that countries with strong military capabilities command greater strategic influence.
Seeks Better Arrangements for Agniveers After Four Years
Singh also stressed the need to ensure better career opportunities for Agniveers after the completion of their four-year service.
He called for arrangements to facilitate their absorption into the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other services, saying the country should give due respect and support to those who serve in the armed forces.
‘Corruption Is Hollowing Out the Country’
Apart from the Agniveer scheme, Singh criticised corruption, describing it as a force that was weakening the country from within.
“Corruption is like termites wherever it exists; it is sucking the country’s blood,” he said, adding that those in positions of authority had a responsibility to address the problem.
He said he was speaking as an independent citizen and called on people to work collectively to improve the country’s and the state’s administrative systems.
Singh also urged ex-servicemen to continue contributing to society after retirement. He said that just as they had risked their lives to protect the country’s borders, they could now help improve society and public institutions.
Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Takes Centre Stage
The event focused on securing greater recognition and support for retired soldiers, including access to healthcare, pension benefits and government welfare schemes.
The organisers also highlighted the need to facilitate education and employment opportunities for the children of ex-servicemen, in accordance with applicable rules, and provide them with social and administrative assistance after retirement.
Speakers said honouring soldiers should go beyond formal ceremonies and that society had a collective responsibility to address their concerns and ensure access to essential facilities.
Supaul MP Promises Support on Land and Development Issues
Supaul MP Dileshwar Kamat assured ex-servicemen that he would make efforts to address their demands. He said steps would be taken to arrange the land required for facilities related to former soldiers.
Kamat also referred to development projects undertaken in the district with the support of Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav and former Union minister RK Singh. He mentioned work in the railway and infrastructure sectors and promised further efforts to improve connectivity and basic facilities in Supaul.
The gathering also discussed the development of road and electricity infrastructure in the district, with Singh sharing his experience of implementing development projects during his tenure as Union minister.
The event at Adarsh Middle School in Abhuar brought together discussions on veterans’ welfare, employment, healthcare, land allocation and administrative support, alongside Singh’s renewed criticism of the Agniveer scheme and his comments on corruption.
