Centre assures roll out of Permanent Commission to all eligible women officers after SC rap

New Delhi, Nov 12 (FN Agency) The Centre on Friday assured the Supreme Court it will roll out Permanent Commission option and comply with the apex court’s earlier order, to all those eligible Women Short Service Commission Officers (SSCO) in the Army as the court warned it of contempt proceedings. A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud was hearing a batch of petitions filed by several women officers highlighting the fact that the court’s earlier order directing the Army to provide the SSC to eligible women officers has not been complied with. The Centre assured the bench that swift and proper decision will be afoot within three weeks period with regard to 11 women army officers, who approached the top court on the PC issue. The court was assured not just the eleven women SSCO Officers who have moved the court in contempt as a part of 72 officers who were not granted PC till date, but even those officers who were not before the court but met the criteria will be granted PC, subject to their willingness.

The apex court earlier in the day expressed its displeasure and unhappiness over the way the Centre has not provided the PC to those deserving and eligible candidates for the same. The Supreme Court also questioned the Centre as to why the court’s earlier order was not complied with. The Supreme Court also warned the Centre on Friday that it might initiate contempt proceedings against the Indian Army for failing to grant PC to the 11 women officers in line with its previous orders. Following which, the Centre pleaded with the court and submitted that it was ready to grant Permanent Commission to the officers. The Bench in its order also noted those officers whose case was not before the court should also be considered at the same time. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain representing the Army was told their cases must also be considered as per the criteria laid down by the apex court in its previous judgment. Necessary orders in this regard will be passed within three weeks from Friday, the Supreme Court said. The petitioners were represented by lawyers Hufeza Ahmadi, SS Pandey and others. The Supreme Court last month asked the Centre to issue orders granting Permanent Commission to 39 Women Short Service Commission (SSC) Officers in the Army at the earliest.