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New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea by girls officers of the Indian Army to increase the final date for eligibility for service advantages – to be thought of for a everlasting fee – ruling that any modification of the deadlines would have severe implications for future batches.
The prime courtroom, in a landmark verdict in February, had mentioned that ladies officers within the Army may get command positions on par with male officers. The courtroom shot down the federal government’s arguments towards this, calling them “discriminatory”, “disturbing” and primarily based on stereotype.
The verdict mentioned girls officers who had accomplished 14 years of service could be thought of for a everlasting fee – in different phrases, a girl would have the ability rise to the rank of Colonel or above, primarily based on benefit, and be given a substantive command.
The verdict additionally mentioned that ladies officers who had served greater than 14 years within the SSC (brief service fee), however have been unable to get a everlasting fee, would get to serve for 20 years.
In at this time’s listening to the petitioners – girls officers who didn’t cross the closing date, falling round one month in need of finishing 14 years – wished the Army to supply them with an choice to serve for 20 years.
Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Meenakshi Lekhi argued that the federal government order accepting the closing date got here solely in July. Ms Lekhi argued that due to this fact these girls officers may very well be accommodated and, thereby, obtain the advantage of pension arising from 20 years’ service.
However, Justice DY Chandrachud, heading the bench, mentioned: “Our judgment said those who had completed 14 years of service, as on the date of the judgment, will get pension and PC benefits. The cut-off is the date of the judgment. If we modify it, we will have to modify for successive batches.”
Justice KM Joseph, additionally on the bench, mentioned: “It will have serious implications. Every batch will be completing 14 years.”
Col Balasubramaniam, a senior advocate showing for the federal government, opposed the ladies officers’ plea, arguing: “On July 16, when the government passed orders relating to permanent commission, all those who had completed 14 years in service (as on February 17) will get pension. If you allow (this to be) open-ended, it will become difficult to implement. Every six months a batch gets commission. We cannot allow them to get benefit like this.”
In response to the petition and arguments Justice Chandrachud mentioned it was tough to deal with these issues as a result of the petitioners have been all within the service of the nation.
“We feel we should be able to do something for them but where do we draw the line,” the Justice requested.
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