Thursday, December 7, 2023

SC slams Army for ‘indirect discrimination’ of women officers

Date:

Share post:

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday said “the structures of our society has been created by males for males”, and “equality will be farce” if change does not occur and women get equal opportunity.

The apex court was directing the Centre to consider granting permanent commission (PC) to women army officers, within a month and allow PC within 2 months after following due process.

In February, in a landmark verdict last year, the top court had directed that women officers in the Army be granted permanent commission at par with their male counterparts.

Sixty women officers moved the top court stating that they were denied PC in the Army on the ground of failure to adhere to Shape- I fitness.

A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud held that Army’s selective ACR evaluation and late implementation of Shape 1 criterion discriminates and disproportionately affects women officers, who have sought PC.

The top court criticized the Army for indirectly discriminating against women short service commission officers by denying them PC, and cited that women officers who brought laurels for country in different fields have been ignored.

The Army said medical category has been applied by taking age-related factors into account. However, the top court observed that women officers were given symbolic equality and Shape-1 medical criteria cannot be applied to the women officers 10 years later.

Related articles

Cyclone causes extensive damage to crops in Andhra Pradesh

  Amaravati, Dec 6: Heavy rains due to severe cyclonic storm Michaung in Bay of Bengal inundated low-lying areas...

Social activist backs NGCO over siphoning of Eco-Tourism Projects

Biplab Kr Dey Tura, Dec 6: Social activist, Cherian Momin has come out in support of the allegations made...

BJP leader questions delay in release of umbrella scholarships

Biplab Kr Dey Tura, Dec 6: Tura MDC and BJP vice president, Bernard Marak has once again questioned the...

Phulbari activist accuses BRC of poor construction of Hill road

Biplab Kr Dey Tura, Dec 6: Seemingly poor quality and the Badri Rai and Company (BRC) have now become...