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Permanent Commission to Women Officers
Army files special leave petition in apex court
New Delhi, July 7
The Ministry of Defence yesterday filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court judgment of March 12 that had asked the Army to grant permanent commission to serving Short Service Commission women officers.
The appeal was filed yesterday after a single Bench of the high court issued contempt notice to Army chief General VK Singh and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar for not complying with its directions.
The Centre, in its petition, has sought stay of the operation of the high court judgment and its review. It has been argued that there is no government policy to grant permanent commission to women other than in two streams, i.e. judge advocate general (JAG) and Army education corps (AEC). This was allowed in September 2008, and will be applicable to those women who joined after March 2009.
Sources in the Army yesterday said providing permanent commission with retrospective affect, that too in all streams, will offset the functioning of the force. Moreover, there is no policy decision to take in women in other streams.
The high court, in its judgment, on March 12 directed that Permanent Commission (PC) be offered within two months to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers of the Air Force and the Army at par with male SSC officers. The IAF, which was also asked to do so, has decided to offer permanent commission to the 22 petitioners. The IAF had an error in is advertisement seeking applications as it had promised possibility of permanent commission to women, whereas the Army had made no such promise.
The court had turned down the plea of women of being allowed in combat operations.
The high court had also rejected the plea of the government that permanent commission can be allowed only for future recruitment and the benefit cannot be given retrospectively for the serving and retired lady officers who had approached the court.
Army files special leave petition in apex court
New Delhi, July 7
The Ministry of Defence yesterday filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court judgment of March 12 that had asked the Army to grant permanent commission to serving Short Service Commission women officers.
The appeal was filed yesterday after a single Bench of the high court issued contempt notice to Army chief General VK Singh and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar for not complying with its directions.
The Centre, in its petition, has sought stay of the operation of the high court judgment and its review. It has been argued that there is no government policy to grant permanent commission to women other than in two streams, i.e. judge advocate general (JAG) and Army education corps (AEC). This was allowed in September 2008, and will be applicable to those women who joined after March 2009.
Sources in the Army yesterday said providing permanent commission with retrospective affect, that too in all streams, will offset the functioning of the force. Moreover, there is no policy decision to take in women in other streams.
The high court, in its judgment, on March 12 directed that Permanent Commission (PC) be offered within two months to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers of the Air Force and the Army at par with male SSC officers. The IAF, which was also asked to do so, has decided to offer permanent commission to the 22 petitioners. The IAF had an error in is advertisement seeking applications as it had promised possibility of permanent commission to women, whereas the Army had made no such promise.
The court had turned down the plea of women of being allowed in combat operations.
The high court had also rejected the plea of the government that permanent commission can be allowed only for future recruitment and the benefit cannot be given retrospectively for the serving and retired lady officers who had approached the court.
