Days after the landmark Supreme Court judgment directing the Government to grant permanent commission and command postings to women officers, Army Chief MM Naravane on Thursday said his force has been championing gender equality and the apex court verdict has given the Army clarity to move forward.
In a momentous ruling on Monday, the apex court on Monday had called for a “change in mindsets” and directed that women officers of the Army, serving under Short Service Commission(SSC), be considered for grant of Permanent Commission, irrespective of tenure of service, and also for command posts in non-combat areas since “an absolute bar on women seeking criteria or command appointments would not comport with the guarantee of equality under Article 14.”
Making the Army’s stand clear, the Army Chief said here the Indian Army does not discriminate any soldier based on religion, caste, creed, or even gender. The outlook of the Indian Army has been throughout like this and “that is why we started inducting women officers as early as in 1993.”
Outlining steps taken to induct women in the force, he said the Army has taken the initiative to induct women in rank and file, and the first batch of 100 women soldiers is undergoing training at Corps of Military Police Centre and School, he said.
Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome one as it brings out a sense of clarity and purpose to gainfully employ officers for better efficiency of the organisation. I must assure that everybody in the Indian Army including women officers will be given equal opportunity to contribute to the nation as also progress in their careers,” he said hailing the verdict as enabling. Naravane also said letters are being sent to women officers asking whether they will prefer permanent commission.
The court has given three months’ time to the Government to implement its verdict and Naravane said a roadmap has been prepared for its implementation. He also said there is equal opportunity for everyone and there is no gender discrimination. “We have drafted a plan” he stated.
Same procedure for male Short Service Commission (SSC) officers will be followed for women to give permanent commission, the Army chief clarified adding “it will be same rule for everyone.”
Observing that the judgement is for those who have crossed a certain point in their career in the Army, he said those rules for young officers will not be applied on them. In the next batch of women officers trained all these factors will be discussed, he stated.