Examine women's issues: Pranab tells Service Chiefs

New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has asked the three Service Chiefs to examine whether women officers in the Armed Forces could be considered for combat role in future.

During lengthy meetings with the Service Chiefs here today, the Defence Minister directed them to undertake feasibility studies to assess whether women officers could perform combat duties -- depending upon their willingness to undergo hard training.

The Minister further directed that ''all salary anomalies and discrimination'' against the women officers be immediately sorted out.

With a recent controversy over allegations of gender bias in the three Services in the backdrop, the Defence Minister said till the time comes when they assume combat roles, women officers in the Army could be inducted into operating high-tech weapons systems and platforms.

''They will be doing very well in Information Technology... They are doing very well in the medical services... But we want them in other areas also... In hard areas also we want them to participate more and more depending on their willingness,'' Minister Mukherjee later told mediapersons.

''Right now we are not putting them in combat roles because it is much more hazardous... but I am quite confident a day will come when they will make their contribution....'' The Minister further said he had directed Army Chief General JJ Singh to look into discrimination in pay and other allowances for women officers. ''It should be equal pay and uniform'' for women officers, Mr Mukherjee averred.

He said as far as recruitment under Short Service Commission (SSC) was concerned, women were in a more advantageous position.

However, in certain other areas they had some disadvantages with respect to salaries, allowances and other types of perks.

UNI DG MSJ RS1847