Army to bridge gender gap in pay, promotions

New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) Facing allegations of gender bias, the Army today said it was close to bringing its Short Service Commission (SSC) lady officers ''at par'' with their regular male counterparts on pay and allowances.

An Army statement said the revised terms and conditions of service for SSC officers (men and women) had been finalised and were awaiting orders by the appropriate authority.

''Post this, SSC lady officers will get substantive promotions and related entitled pay and allowances at par with regular officers,'' the statement said.

The revised conditions, which included recommendations of the AV Singh Committee, were being implemented following cabinet approval for closure of the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) and induction of women as SSC officers, it added.

Terms and conditions of appointment are currently different for regular and SSC officers in the Army. The SSC provides support cadre to the regular cadre and the training period for each is different.

Eighteen months, 11 months and six months training is required for regular, SSC and WSES officers respectively.

''The seniority of SSC officers is accordingly adjusted to cater for the shortfall in training vis-a-vis regular officers at the time of grant of permanent commission to them.

''Presently the terms and conditions of service for women entry are different from that of male SSC officers as they are two separate entries,'' the statement said.

However, the Army made it clear that there was no difference in pay scales pertaining to each rank irrespective of the fact whether the officer holding the said rank belonged to the regular entry or short service entry.

''Pay scales are granted as per substantive rank held by the officers at any given point of time,'' it stated, while pointing out that though male SSC officers get the substantive rank of Lieutenant during the period of contractual service, lady officers get the rank of Captain.

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