New Delhi: Congress leader and MP Manish Tewari on Thursday, June 16 said the new ‘Agnipath’ scheme is a much-needed reform in the right direction while noting that the armed forces should not be an employment guarantee programme.The government on June 14 unveiled the scheme for the recruitment of soldiers in the Army, Navy and the Air Force largely on a four-year short-term contractual basis, in a major overhaul of the decades-old selection process.“This is a reform which is much-needed and is a reform in the right direction,” Tewari said.“I do empathise with youth who have concerns over Agnipath recruitment Process. Reality is India needs a younger armed force with lighter human footprint savvy on technology, equipped with state of art weaponry. Armed forces of Union shouldn’t be an employment guarantee programme,” he said in a tweet.I do empathise with youth who have concerns over Agnipath recruitment Process.Reality is India needs a younger armed force with lighter human footprint savvy on technology, equipped with state of art weaponry. Armed forces of Union shouldn’t be an employment guarantee programme— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) June 16, 2022The remarks are at variance with his party, which has criticised the government over the scheme and has demanded that it should be kept in abeyance and the next step should be taken after holding wider consultations with experts and others.Also read: Here’s What’s Likely to Happen to Indian Army’s Discharged AgniveersEarlier in the day, protests erupted in various parts of Bihar against the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, which later spread to other states as well, with neighbouring Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh witnessing some demonstrations against the scheme.The protests had initially broken out on Wednesday, June 15 with agitators asking as to what would happen to them after the contract period in the scheme expires.Aspirants for defence jobs were reportedly amongst the protestors as demonstrations blocked road and rail traffic. Violence and destruction of public property was also reported from several areas.Under the scheme, youths between the ages of 17 and a half and 21 years will be inducted into the three services. After completion of the four-year tenure, the scheme provides for retaining 25% of the recruits for regular service.Later in the evening, the Union government issued a clarification, saying that the new model will help the youngsters in becoming entrepreneurs with the aid of a financial package received at the end of their four-year term.(With inputs from PTI)