Battle lost?

The battle waged to get a permanent commission by women in the armed forces might end in disillusionment for them. Crushing all their hopes, minister of state for defence MM Pallam Raju on Thursday candidly stated serving women are not eligible for the commission. 

Representative photo

"Defence minister has already expressed his keenness to grant the permanent commission to women officers and the proposal has already been accepted. But only future officers will be able to avail the benefit. There will not be any retrospective effect," said the minister attending a seminar on revamping internal security of the country. 

His satement has disappointed women officers. "We give the best years of our lives to serve the country and at the end we find ourselves nowhere. We feel cheated by the Army" said an officer, on condition of anonymity.

Twenty-one women army officers moved a petition before the Delhi High Court seeking permanent commission.

Court had asked the government to come up with at least a "clear proposal" till the next hearing on the case, which was scheduled for today.

However, it has been postponed in the absence of one of the high court judges who was listening the arguments.