The Hindu : National : Similar service terms for women and men in Army

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Wednesday, Aug 02, 2006

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National

Similar service terms for women and men in Army

Special entry scheme for women scrapped

NEW DELHI: The Government on Tuesday issued orders making on a par the terms and conditions for men and women officers opting for entry to the Army through short service commission. This follows the recent uproar over complaints of discrimination against women in the Army.

Under the new system, both men and women officers will enjoy common inter-seniority at the end of training at the Officers Training Acadamy, Chennai, for preference while opting for technical or non-technical streams.

The Army has scrapped the special entry scheme for women and allowed them entry into the Army through commission as short service officers for contractual service ranging from 10 to 14 years, according to a Defence Ministry announcement here.

The Army has also increased the training period for women officers from 24 weeks to 49 weeks, the same as for short service commission men officers. Women officers will now be eligible for substantive promotion to the rank of Captain in two years, Major after six years and Lieutenant Colonel in 13 years.

The Government has also cleared women officers for receiving rank pay. The new order will be effective from December 16, 2004. Women officers have to opt for the new scheme within six months to get the benefits.

They also have the option to leave the Army after five years and later between 10 to 14 years subject to approval. But those officers, both men and women, who retired between December 16, 2004 and July 20, 2006 will not be eligible for any benefits. — PTI

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