The Department of Military Affairs is currently in the process of finalising an innovative initiative known as the “Tour of Duty (ToD)” scheme. This strategic move was designed to recruit young individuals into soldier roles for a limited duration of three years with the aim of curtailing escalating salary and pension expenses that have been hindering the modernisation of the military.
Understanding the “Tour of Duty (ToD)” Scheme
The late Chief Of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat spearheaded this effort. The primary objective of the scheme is to recruit soldiers, who will be referred to as Agniveers, for a fixed period of three years. This involvement will be completely voluntary and has been tagged as the Agnipath entry scheme.
This scheme has been tailored for those enthusiastic youths who do not wish to commit to a permanent career in defence services but still yearn to taste the thrill and adventure attached to military professionalism.
Benefits to Soldiers
In addition to providing the exhilarating experience of a military stint, the ToD scheme assures a series of benefits to the participating soldiers. Upon completion of their service, soldiers will receive a payout. They will also be given precedence for recruitment into specific government jobs, including roles within the Central Armed Police Forces.
There is an ongoing initiative to encourage corporate India to prioritise the hiring of such ex-ToD recruits for specific roles within the private sector.
Advantages to the Government
The ‘Tour of Duty’ scheme presents an effective solution to two significant challenges faced by the government: personnel shortages and the growing burden of pay and pension commitments.
According to the original ToD proposal, the “prospective life-term saving” in cost from the engagement of a single jawan who retires after 17 years of service replete with pension and other benefits, compared to a ToD jawan, will amount to Rs 11.5 crore. This substantial saving could then be redirected to support much-needed military modernisation efforts.
Financial Implications
The cumulative money saved through this innovative approach in managing pay and gratuity commitments could make a significant contribution towards financing military modernisation strategies. Thus, the ToD scheme presents itself as a promising initiative, not only in terms of offering youth the opportunity to experience military life but also from a fiscal point of view, as it contributes substantially to cost-saving measures that the government is keen to implement.
In conclusion, the ToD scheme represents a bold and innovative approach by the Department of Military Affairs’ towards resolving some of its pressing challenges. It creates a win-win situation wherein both the government and participating individuals stand to gain.
Source: ToI
