The central government has told the Supreme Court that the armed forces have embarked on proposing a series of measures to usher a more ‘liberal regime’ to grant permanent commission (PC) to women officers and open new streams of induction for them.
In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Union ministry of defence said it requires six months to formulate modalities and enforce the changes and alterations in the three forces. ‘All three wings of the armed forces (army, navy and air force) and the ministry of defence are actively considering the issue of parity between male and female officers in securing PC in the armed forces,’ read the affidavit.
This is the first time that the government has given a statement in writing before the court in the matter related to permanent commission for women officers. The case relates to the Centre opposing the Delhi high court’s 2010 order granting permanent commission to women officers recruited in army on short service commission (SSC).
Although the army allows permanent commission to women officers in two branches — judge advocate general (JAG) and education — it has refused to extend the same to other branches.
The Indian air force and the Indian navy, too, grant permanent commission to women officers but only in selective streams.
‘(All) three wings are conscious of and sensitive to the grievances of the female officers/ personnel in their fold and the need to provide them with reasonable avenues and ample opportunities to further their career prospects. Parity to women in grant of permanent commission has acquired sharper focus so as to mitigate discriminatory treatment,’ the affidavit said.
The formal stand of the government was filed on the directions issued by the top court on April 28. A bench led by Justice N V Ramana described the oral submissions of the government as wishy-washy. On April 13 the bench pulled up the government for harassing SSC women officers by opposing their plea for PC. The judge also questioned the hesitation on the Centre’s part to give PC to women in combat roles.
Restriction of employability of women in army is inescapable due to the ‘peculiar operational compulsions’ of the army, the ministry said. Therefore, the classification of streams for making PC available to women officers only in selective streams will be based on the service conditions of the various streams.
Measures to eradicate the divide between male and female officers in as many streams as possible are being adopted in a gradual process, having regard to the ‘peculiar characteristics’ and operational constraints of each stream, the Centre said.
The central government said it will begin with by allowing women officers to serve for 20 years without any screening after completing the 14-year tenure under the short service commission. This will entitle them pensionary benefits. By HT
