HC raps Centre for gender inequality in armed forces

The Delhi Higth Court today pulled up the Centre for not being serious about bringing gender equality in the armed forces and sought explanation for not granting permanent commission to serving woman officers in defence forces.

"On one hand, the government talks about women empowerment and reservation and on the other hand it expresses reservation in giving equal opportuinity in the armed forces.

The government's response does not gel with its policy," Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said while asking the Additional Solicitor General to appear in the case to respond on the issue.

"We do consider it a matter of importance and find that the government has prima facie failed to do anything despite the court's order. We would like the assistance of ASG in the case," the court said adding "the matter has to be put on a different level so that it is taken seriously."

The Court made the remarks on a bunch of petitions filed by women officers of defence forces who, unlike their male counterparts, were not granted permanent commission and forced to retire after 10 years of service despite being fit for the job.