Oppn objects to Agnipath meet ahead of Parliament session

Ahead of a crucial meeting of the consultative committee on defence on the 'Agnipath' scheme for recruitment in the armed forces, the Opposition has accused the Centre of trying to evade a discussion on the matter and questioned the need for convening the meeting before the start of Parliament's monsoon session. The meeting is slated for Monday, a week before lawmakers resume work in Parliament.

"This is an attempt by the government to evade discussion on Agnipath in Parliament. It is denial of rights and privilege of the people to know about the new recruitment policy," Congress parliamentarian Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is a member of the consultative committee and the parliamentary standing committee on defence, told ET.

On Monday, the 20-member consultative committee will be briefed by defence minister Rajnath Singh. The Opposition has demanded the policy be discussed in the House.

"The meeting is scheduled for July 11, just a week ahead of the monsoon session... The government is trying to hoodwink the common people by portraying that they are trying to reform the armed forces and the Opposition is trying to block their reform agenda," Chowdhury said.