News Analysis India

Tag: women candidates

  • Entry of women candidates permitted in certain branches of Indian Navy University: Centre to HC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that entry of women candidates in certain branches of the Indian Navy University has now been permitted.

    The high court was informed that now the Indian Navy is recruiting women candidates under the Indian Navy University Entry Scheme in the executive branch’s general service (X) cadre, IT and in the engineering and electrical branch.

    Taking note of the Centre’s submissions, a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad disposed of a petition which had sought entry of women candidates in certain branches of the Indian Navy University, where admission of females was barred.

    The PIL, filed by lawyer Kush Kalra, had alleged institutional discrimination by the government and had sought direction to it to elaborate on the steps taken to permit the entry of women on par with male candidates.

    During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Centre, argued that a PIL filed on the subject of service matter was not maintainable.

    However, he submitted that the issue raised in the petition has already been remedied by permitting the entry of female candidates in the Indian Navy University Entry Scheme, Executive Branch General Service (x) Cadre, IT, and in the Technical Branch Engineering and Electrical Branch.

    The law officer also drew the court’s attention towards an advertisement inviting applications for Short Service Commission Officers in Information Technology (Executive Branch) commencing from January 2023 as well as an advertisement inviting applications for Short Service Commission Officers for various entries, including General Service (Executive) GS (X) commencing from June 2023 issued by the Indian Navy.

    He submitted that the Indian Navy is now recruiting female candidates as well in both the branches mentioned in the petition.

    The ASG said the petitioner has not challenged the constitutional validity of Section 9(2) of the Indian Navy Act.

    However, the same statutory provision empowers the Union of India to issue notifications for the entry of female candidates into the Indian Navy.

    According to Section 9(2) of the Act, “No woman shall be eligible for appointment for enrolment in the Indian Navy or the Indian Naval Reserve Forces except in such department, branch or other body forming part thereof or attached thereto and subject to such conditions as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette specify in this behalf”.

    The petitioner had sought a direction permitting the entry of women candidates under the Indian Navy University Entry Scheme in the executive branch’s general service (X) cadre, IT and in the engineering and electrical branch on par with men.

    The plea alleged that the government was practising institutional discrimination by arbitrarily depriving women of the right to serve in these branches while permitting them entry as air traffic controllers and naval architects.

    NEW DELHI: The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that entry of women candidates in certain branches of the Indian Navy University has now been permitted.

    The high court was informed that now the Indian Navy is recruiting women candidates under the Indian Navy University Entry Scheme in the executive branch’s general service (X) cadre, IT and in the engineering and electrical branch.

    Taking note of the Centre’s submissions, a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad disposed of a petition which had sought entry of women candidates in certain branches of the Indian Navy University, where admission of females was barred.

    The PIL, filed by lawyer Kush Kalra, had alleged institutional discrimination by the government and had sought direction to it to elaborate on the steps taken to permit the entry of women on par with male candidates.

    During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Centre, argued that a PIL filed on the subject of service matter was not maintainable.

    However, he submitted that the issue raised in the petition has already been remedied by permitting the entry of female candidates in the Indian Navy University Entry Scheme, Executive Branch General Service (x) Cadre, IT, and in the Technical Branch Engineering and Electrical Branch.

    The law officer also drew the court’s attention towards an advertisement inviting applications for Short Service Commission Officers in Information Technology (Executive Branch) commencing from January 2023 as well as an advertisement inviting applications for Short Service Commission Officers for various entries, including General Service (Executive) GS (X) commencing from June 2023 issued by the Indian Navy.

    He submitted that the Indian Navy is now recruiting female candidates as well in both the branches mentioned in the petition.

    The ASG said the petitioner has not challenged the constitutional validity of Section 9(2) of the Indian Navy Act.

    However, the same statutory provision empowers the Union of India to issue notifications for the entry of female candidates into the Indian Navy.

    According to Section 9(2) of the Act, “No woman shall be eligible for appointment for enrolment in the Indian Navy or the Indian Naval Reserve Forces except in such department, branch or other body forming part thereof or attached thereto and subject to such conditions as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette specify in this behalf”.

    The petitioner had sought a direction permitting the entry of women candidates under the Indian Navy University Entry Scheme in the executive branch’s general service (X) cadre, IT and in the engineering and electrical branch on par with men.

    The plea alleged that the government was practising institutional discrimination by arbitrarily depriving women of the right to serve in these branches while permitting them entry as air traffic controllers and naval architects.

  • Wives of dons likely to rule in Bihar bypolls

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Women candidates, especially wives of underworld dons, are set to hold sway in the by-elections due in Mokama and Gopalganj assembly seats in Bihar on November 3. While the Opposition BJP announced its candidates for both seats, the ruling grand alliance led by RJD is yet to declare its nominees for the election.

    The BJP fielded Sonam Devi, wife of a bahubali (strongman) Lallan Singh from Mokama assembly seat. She will be pitted against Neelam Devi alias Neelam Singh, wife of sitting RJD MLA Anant Singh alias Chhote Sarkar. Though Neelam’s candidature is yet to be announced officially, she has already started campaigning in the constituency after meeting RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

    “It will be a clash between two bahubalis in Mokama this time. Both the candidates belong to the same upper caste Bhumihar. It will be interesting to see how authorities deal with two bahubalis known for their muscle power in the region,” said Ram Avtar Singh, a resident of Moldiyar Tola in Mokama.

    On Saturday, Lallan Singh resigned from chief minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and joined BJP in the hope that he would be fielded as saffron party’s candidate from Mokama. However, some BJP leaders objected to his candidature at the state election committee meeting because of his criminal antecedents. Later his wife Sonam Devi’s name was given clearance by the BJP’s central election committee.  Neelam had campaigned on behalf of her husband Anant Singh in the 2020 assembly election as the latter was in judicial custody. 

    In Gopalganj, BJP has fielded Kusum Devi, wife of sitting MLA Subhash Singh, who passed away after prolonged illness in August. BJP leaders are of the view that Kusum would get sympathy votes as her husband Subhash Singh had represented the seat for four consecutive terms. Sources in RJD said that the party is willing to contest both Mokama and Gopalganj seats in by-election.

    PATNA: Women candidates, especially wives of underworld dons, are set to hold sway in the by-elections due in Mokama and Gopalganj assembly seats in Bihar on November 3. While the Opposition BJP announced its candidates for both seats, the ruling grand alliance led by RJD is yet to declare its nominees for the election.

    The BJP fielded Sonam Devi, wife of a bahubali (strongman) Lallan Singh from Mokama assembly seat. She will be pitted against Neelam Devi alias Neelam Singh, wife of sitting RJD MLA Anant Singh alias Chhote Sarkar. Though Neelam’s candidature is yet to be announced officially, she has already started campaigning in the constituency after meeting RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

    “It will be a clash between two bahubalis in Mokama this time. Both the candidates belong to the same upper caste Bhumihar. It will be interesting to see how authorities deal with two bahubalis known for their muscle power in the region,” said Ram Avtar Singh, a resident of Moldiyar Tola in Mokama.

    On Saturday, Lallan Singh resigned from chief minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and joined BJP in the hope that he would be fielded as saffron party’s candidate from Mokama. However, some BJP leaders objected to his candidature at the state election committee meeting because of his criminal antecedents. Later his wife Sonam Devi’s name was given clearance by the BJP’s central election committee.  Neelam had campaigned on behalf of her husband Anant Singh in the 2020 assembly election as the latter was in judicial custody. 

    In Gopalganj, BJP has fielded Kusum Devi, wife of sitting MLA Subhash Singh, who passed away after prolonged illness in August. BJP leaders are of the view that Kusum would get sympathy votes as her husband Subhash Singh had represented the seat for four consecutive terms. Sources in RJD said that the party is willing to contest both Mokama and Gopalganj seats in by-election.

  • Female Agniveers in IAF from next year: Air Chief VR Chaudhari

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has decided to induct women candidates under the Air Force Agniveers scheme from next year, said IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) VR Chaudhari on Tuesday. Air Chief was addressing annual press conference before its 90th Raising Day on October 8. This is the first time that the Air Force has announced women candidates joining the force at the Other Ranks (ORs) level. The Navy and Army had made announcements of inducting women as the ORs under the Agniveer scheme. The Air Force has been inducting women at officers level.

    While addressing the media persons in Delhi days ahead of 90th Indian Air Force Day, ACM Chaudhari said: “We as an organisation are gender agnostic and recognise merit and performance above everything else. A high ratio of women officers in the IAF is testimony to our commitment in providing equal opportunity and a level playing field for every individual irrespective of gender.”

    “Induction of female Agniveers is planned next year,” he said.

    Air Force plans to induct around 3,500 Agniveers as part of its recruitment next year. A total of 3,000 male Agniveers will join the service in December this year.

    “We are looking at 10 per cent females in the Agniveer scheme. We are looking at the fleets where we can use them and grow as time comes. We will accept them in the trade and fleet with an open mind.” said the Air Chief

    Speaking on the issue another officer said “The induction of the women candidates in the first year will be around 3 percent and it will keep rising to the level of 10 percent by the fourth year.”

    The Agniveers will not be positioned into the permanent Cadre which will be reserved for those inducted for permanent duty. The Air Force has 39 Trades which have streams and sub-streams.

    It was in June, the government had announced the new recruitment scheme for the armed forces under which the personnel at the soldiers level will be inducted initially for four years with no provision of pension. At the end of the fourth year 25 percent of them will be inducted for 15 years.

    On induction of the women Agniveers for permanent duties the officer said, “The induction will depend on merit and the numbers will not be fixed for them.” On induction the women will also be addressed as Airmen.

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has decided to induct women candidates under the Air Force Agniveers scheme from next year, said IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) VR Chaudhari on Tuesday. Air Chief was addressing annual press conference before its 90th Raising Day on October 8. This is the first time that the Air Force has announced women candidates joining the force at the Other Ranks (ORs) level. The Navy and Army had made announcements of inducting women as the ORs under the Agniveer scheme. The Air Force has been inducting women at officers level.

    While addressing the media persons in Delhi days ahead of 90th Indian Air Force Day, ACM Chaudhari said: “We as an organisation are gender agnostic and recognise merit and performance above everything else. A high ratio of women officers in the IAF is testimony to our commitment in providing equal opportunity and a level playing field for every individual irrespective of gender.”

    “Induction of female Agniveers is planned next year,” he said.

    Air Force plans to induct around 3,500 Agniveers as part of its recruitment next year. A total of 3,000 male Agniveers will join the service in December this year.

    “We are looking at 10 per cent females in the Agniveer scheme. We are looking at the fleets where we can use them and grow as time comes. We will accept them in the trade and fleet with an open mind.” said the Air Chief

    Speaking on the issue another officer said “The induction of the women candidates in the first year will be around 3 percent and it will keep rising to the level of 10 percent by the fourth year.”

    The Agniveers will not be positioned into the permanent Cadre which will be reserved for those inducted for permanent duty. The Air Force has 39 Trades which have streams and sub-streams.

    It was in June, the government had announced the new recruitment scheme for the armed forces under which the personnel at the soldiers level will be inducted initially for four years with no provision of pension. At the end of the fourth year 25 percent of them will be inducted for 15 years.

    On induction of the women Agniveers for permanent duties the officer said, “The induction will depend on merit and the numbers will not be fixed for them.” On induction the women will also be addressed as Airmen.