Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that he had asked the three service chiefs to examine the possibility of inducting women in the combat arm and to give their recommendation on whether female officers could be given permanent commission in the military.
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Mukherjee also sought to clear an impression that women officers were not being provided equal treatment in terms of service conditions and said they were doing a 'good job' and 'should be encouraged.'
"I have had discussions with the three service chiefs and have asked them to examine in detail the feasibility of representation of women in every sphere of the armed forces," Mukherjee said when asked if there was a possibility of women joining the combat arm.
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The minister's remarks assume significance as they come in the midst of a controversy on women officers being given equal treatment in the armed forces in the wake of the alleged suicide of Lt Sushmita Chakravorty in Udhampur on June 15. She was reportedly unhappy with her job and had been treated for depression.
On women forming part of the combat wings, Mukherjee, who had a meeting this morning with the three members of the Chiefs of Staff Committee chaired by Admiral Arun Prakash, said, "There are problems and they (the chiefs) will examine the issue. Once I get their recommendations, it will be possible for the government to take a view on it."
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