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| Women officers demand equality |
| But now two serving Indian Air Force women officers have decided to fight back.
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| INDIA
, 31-August-2007
3:11:6 AM |
| For 15 years now, women have become an integral part of the Indian Armed Forces.
They fly transport planes and helicopters, have administrative and operational duties and yet the ministry of defence finds them unfit for a permanent commission.
Currently they can't serve for more than 15 years and they don't get pension when they retire.
But now two serving Indian Air Force women officers have decided to fight back.
They have filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, demanding a uniform policy for men and women. Their lawyer says the Air Force does not have a case. It's just hiding behind technicalities.
''All that we are asking for is a clear-cut policy on permanent commission for women. The argument put forth by the Air Force that women cannot be given that chance because the current policy does not allow women a combat role does not hold water,'' said Prashanti Prasad, Lawyer.
Not surprisingly, women constitute only about seven per cent of the total strength of the Indian air force officer cadre and they don't understand the government's resistance.
''I see no reason why woman cannot be granted permanent commission. At the time of our recruitment itself they had promised us that we will be given an equal opportunity. Why they have not done it so far is a mystery,'' said Deepa Nailwal, Ex-IAF Squadron Leader.
The Air Force has refused to react since the matter is in court.
The Air Force may have valid reasons for not having women as fighter pilots but in its 75th year, it defies all logic in not giving women a permanent commission in other branches.
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