Permanent commission for women: High Court asks IAF for files

Seventeen women officers,mostly in the ranks of majors and lieutenant colonels and two from the Air Force,who had served in counter-insurgency operations and high-altitude and forward areas,had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court in December 2008. Five more women officers have lately joined in the litigation.

Some of the petitioners women officers are likely to be released without being considered for grant of permanent commission despite having served in counter-insurgency,field and high altitude areas along with men officers and having done equally well, Rekha Palli,the officers counsel had stated before a Division Bench led by Justice S K Kaul during an earlier hearing.

The Bench has sought a response from the Centre by April 24,the next date of hearing.

Currently,women are inducted as officers under the short service commission for a maximum 14 years while men are eligible to receive permanent commission after five years.