In February, the Supreme Court ruled on the permanent commission of women in the Army.
New Delhi:
On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition by female Indian Army officers to extend the last eligibility date for service benefits, to be considered for a permanent commission, and ruled that any modification of the court dates would be serious. implications for the future. lots.
The high court, in a landmark verdict in February, had said that female army officers could obtain command posts on a par with male officers. The court rejected the government’s arguments against this, calling them “discriminatory”, “disturbing” and based on stereotypes.
The verdict said that female officers who had completed 14 years of service would be considered for a permanent commission; in other words, a woman could rise to the rank of colonel or higher, depending on her merits, and receive a substantive command.
The verdict also said that female officers who had served more than 14 years in the SSC (short duty commission), but were unable to obtain a permanent commission, could serve for 20 years.
At today’s hearing, the petitioners, female officers who missed the deadline, with about a month remaining before completing 14 years, wanted the Army to give them the option to serve for 20 years.
When appearing before the petitioners, lead defender Meenakshi Lekhi argued that the government order accepting the deadline did not arrive until July. Ms Lekhi argued that these female officers could therefore be housed and thus receive the benefit of a pension derived from 20 years of service.
However, Judge DY Chandrachud, in front of the court, said: “Our sentence says that those who have completed 14 years of service, as on the date of the sentence, will receive pension and PC benefits. The deadline is the date of the sentence … If we modify it, we will have to modify it in successive batches “.
Judge KM Joseph, also on the bench, said: “It will have serious implications. Each batch will complete 14 years.”
Colonel Balasubramaniam, a senior supporter of the government, opposed the request of the female officers, arguing: “On July 16, when the government approved orders relating to the permanent commission, all those who had served 14 years in service ( like February 17) will receive a pension. If you allow it (this to be) indefinite, it will be difficult to implement. Every six months, a batch receives a commission. We cannot allow them to make a profit like this. “
In response to the petition and arguments, Judge Chandrachud said that it was difficult to address these issues because all the petitioners were serving the country.
“We think we should be able to do something for them, but where do we draw the line?” Asked Justice.
.
