By IANS,
New Delhi : Women officers in the Indian armed forces will be granted permanent commissions only in selective non-combative branches with the defence ministry formulating a policy in this regard, parliament was informed Wednesday.
A “comprehensive, coherent” policy paper on permanent commissions for women was prepared by the armed forces and was submitted to the defence ministry in August, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The policy paper was considered by the ministry keeping in view the role and responsibility of the armed forces in defending the nation and protecting the territorial integrity of the country, the minister added.
“Based thereon, a government letter has been issued on Nov 11 laying down policy on induction and employment of women in the armed forces,” Antony stated.
Under the policy, women officers will continue to be inducted as short service commission officers (SSCOs) in the branches and cadres where they are being inducted presently in the three services.
Women SSCOs will be eligible for consideration for grant of permanent commission along with male SSCOs in specific branches in the three services such as the Judge Advocate General branch and the Army Education Corps and their equivalents in the navy and air force.
This apart, the women SSCOs will be granted permanent commissions in branches such as naval construction and the accounts branch of the air force, as specified by the ministry in September 2008.
“In addition to the above, in the air force, women SSCOs will be eligible, along with men SSCOs, for consideration for grant of permanent commission in the technical, administration, logistics and meteorology branches,” Antony said.
The grant of permanent commission will be subject to willingness of the candidate and service specific requirements, availability of vacancies and the suitability and merit of candidates, as decided by each service.
The Supreme Court Sept 2 directed the Indian Army to reinstate 11 women officers who had retired before a Delhi High Court order to the armed forces to grant a permanent commission to women officers.
The 11 officers had moved the high court seeking permanent commissions but retired before its verdict was pronounced.
The high court in its March 12, 2010 order directed the army to grant the petitioners a permanent commission.