The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to ensure that women are granted permanent commissions in the Indian Coast Guard, warning of intervention if the government fails to comply. The court also discussed previous judgments related to permanent commissions for women officers in the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
The Supreme Court declared on Monday that women must not be excluded and directed the Centre to ensure they are granted permanent commissions in the Indian Coast Guard. The court warned that it would intervene if the government fails to do so. The bench, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, made this statement after noting Attorney General R Venkataramani’s submissions about operational difficulties in granting permanent commissions to Short Service Commission Officers (SSCOs).
The attorney general also apprised the bench that a board has been set up by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ) to look into the issues.
The bench emphasized, “It is essential to have women on board,” and scheduled the plea for hearing on Friday due to a lack of time on Monday.
Earlier, the bench had stated that the maritime force should develop a policy that treats women “equitably.”
The Supreme Court was considering a petition filed by Indian Coast Guard officer Priyanka Tyagi, who is seeking the grant of permanent commission to eligible women short-service commission officers in the force.
“You talk about ‘nari shakti’ (woman power). Now demonstrate it here. You are in a difficult situation regarding this matter. You must develop a policy that treats women fairly,” the bench had remarked at that time.
It had also asked whether the Union was still adopting “a patriarchal approach” despite the judgments of the top court on the grant of permanent commission to women officers in the three armed forces – Army, Air Force and the Navy.
Why are you displaying such patriarchal attitudes? Do you not want to see women in the Coast Guard?” the bench had questioned Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, who appeared for the ICG at that time.
The bench said the petitioner was the only Short Service Commission woman officer who was opting for permanent commission and asked why her case was not considered.
“Now, the Coast Guard must come up with a policy,” the bench said.
It had earlier asked the law officer to peruse the judgments granting permanent commissions to women officers in the three defence services.
The bench had also inquired whether there was a provision for a permanent commission for women in the Coast Guard.
When informed that 10 percent permanent commission could be granted to women officers, the bench had questioned, “Why only 10 percent… are women considered lesser human beings?”
The bench had questioned why the ICG was not granting women permanent commissions when the Indian Navy was doing so. The court had also instructed the Centre to formulate a gender-neutral policy on the matter.
