The Delhi High Court Friday issued notices to the defence secretary and the Indian Air Force (IAF) over a plea seeking contempt proceedings against them for not granting permanent commission (PC) to nine serving women officers.
Justice G.S. Sistani issued show cause notices to Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and Air Marshal K.J. Mathews, air officer-in-charge (personnel), and sought their response by Dec 14 on a contempt petition filed by a group of nine serving IAF women officers.
Rekha Palli, appearing for the petitioners, said they were only granted extension in service but the IAF did not comply with the March 12 order of the court regarding granting PC to woman officers.
The counsel claimed that these officers have served the nation for 15 years and the high court while disposing their petitions in March had specifically directed that ‘the serving officers who wish to be considered for PC ought to be extended the benefit of grant of permanent commission’.
Short service commission officers can serve for a maximum of 14 years, while officers granted permanent commissions can serve upto the age of 60, depending on the rank they rise to.
