Defence ministry considering women pilots for navy

New Delhi, Dec 18: A proposal to induct women pilots in the navy is under consideration of the defence ministry and certain clarifications have been sought from the service, parliament was told on Friday.

A proposal for induction of "women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers as pilots in the Maritime Reconnaissance stream was received from Naval Headquarters.

"This proposal was examined in the ministry and certain clarifications have been sought from Indian Navy," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

In response to a question on whether the government has received complaints of gender discrimination in the force, he said: "Women officers have been afforded equal opportunities in every single way vis-a-vis their male counterparts to the extent feasible and subject to service exigencies. Complaints received have been dealt with as per the extant policy."

IANS