Supreme Court verdict: Women SSC officers to get Permanent Commission, pension benefits
PTC Web Desk: In a major decision in favour of women officers in the armed forces, the Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that all women employed under Short Service Commission (SSC) should be given equal chances, like men, to receive Permanent Commission (PC).
The Short Service Commission (SSC) officers usually serve for 10 to 14 years. After that, they are supposed to leave the service unless they are given Permanent Commission. However, on the contrary. the Permanent Commission allows officers to serve till retirement, get pension and grow to higher ranks.
The Supreme Court found that women officers were treated unfairly for many years. As per the apex court, the system used to judge them is biased. For instance, there was a limit of only 250 women officers per year for Permanent Commission, which, as per the apex court, is arbitrary and not fair.
The Supreme Court has also flagged problems in the evaluation process. The reports used to assess women officers (ACRs) were not done seriously. Many officers were judged with the assumption that they would never get Permanent Commission, which affected their chances.
The Supreme Court said women were not given important training or key roles, which are needed for career growth. This made it harder for them to compete with male officers.
To rectify this problem, the Supreme Court used its special powers under Article 142 to ensure justice. It ordered that women officers who should have got Permanent Commission will now be treated as if they completed 20 years of service. This means they will get pension and other benefits. The decision will also help women officers who were rejected earlier due to unfair processes.
The court also said that Permanent Commissions already given between 2019 and 2021 will not be changed.
The Supreme Court has directed the armed forces to review their system and remove any bias, so that women officers get fair and equal opportunities in the future.
- With inputs from agencies
