Out of 615 women army officers considered in the selection panel, 422 were selected for a standing committee.
Several women army officers who were not selected for a standing committee within the special selection panel recently held for the short-service committee, women officers alleged that there was a lack of transparency on selection criteria and that the results left them “shocked.” “.
Women Officers are disappointment at the result of the preselection jury. These officers belong to different branches of the army.
“We have an excellent career track record, we have done remarkably well for two decades now, and we eagerly awaited the military to implement the Supreme Court ruling assigning a standing commission to women officers. However, when the results were released on November 19, we were shocked to see that many deserving officers failed to secure standing commissions, ”said one female officer.
All of the officers alleged that their letters to the military secretary’s branch regarding how the selection was to be made for the standing committee went unanswered.
“We wrote to the MS branch in August 2020 to request the details of the process to be followed, but received no response. We don’t understand how these officers have been left out who are in good physical shape, have an excellent rating in Annual Confidential Reports (ACR) and have no ongoing discipline or vigilance against them, ”he said. declared a lieutenant colonel.
These women army officers also alleged that the correct figures for the percentage of female officers selected for a standing committee have not been released into the public domain. “The percentages are much lower and an attempt is made to show that 50 percent or 70 percent of the female officers have obtained a standing commission,” said one officer.
Officers also alleged that soon after the SC verdict, the “system” took revenge by issuing policy letters revising the fitness guidelines and making them more stringent for female officers. In addition, very senior officers were asked to attend the Junior Command (JC) course. “These two directions were withdrawn later, but it shows the negative attitude towards us. We were also forced to undergo medical examinations for the selection board under the conditions of Covid while no such requirement was made for male officers who are considered for promotion committees, ”said one agent.
It is also alleged that some of those selected for a standing committee did not even pass basic professional courses like Part B and D exams. The officers alleged bias and said that although they did advanced courses, they were never used properly in the service and are now forced to leave after working hard in the organization at the expense of their families.
“We don’t even have time to prepare for retirement. We have to do so many things like membership in the Contributory Health Scheme for Former Servicemen (ECHS), CSD canteen card, former serviceman’s identity card and many other administrative requirements. Still, the letter from the selection board says those who have not been selected for a standing committee should immediately prepare for their release from service and not wait for official orders.
Is this how we should be treated after 20+ years in the military? asked an officer.
Out of 615 female officers considered in the selection panel, 422 were selected for a standing committee. The female officers who have been selected for a standing committee belong to such branches as Engineers, Signals, Intelligence Corps, Army Air Defense, Army Aviation Corps, Army Corps army artillery, the army service corps and the electronics and mechanical engineering corps.
In response to the allegations, a senior army officer at the army headquarters said that the selection board No. 5 to select short-term female officers for a standing commission was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the army order 18 of 1988 and that the same had been communicated to all the women concerned. officers.
“A female officer in the rank of army medical corps brigadier was also one of the selection panel to add transparency. In addition, women officers who were examined by the committee were allowed to attend the debates. “
The board has gone through a deliberate and proven process of selecting the appropriate officers for a standing committee. As a result of the counseling, 422 out of 615 were deemed fit.
On November 23 of this year, the Supreme Court also welcomed the Center’s implementation of its verdict to consider granting a standing commission to female military officers. “It is the victory of our nation that women aspire to reach the highest pedestal. It’s a great feeling even for us as judges, ”the officer said in response.
