SC raps Union govt on permanent commission for women in Coast Guard
On Monday, February 26, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud underscored the imperative of inclusivity, stressing that women should not be marginalised. He mentioned this while calling upon the Union government to ensure that eligible women officers are granted permanent commission in the Indian Coast Guard, cautioning that the Court would intervene if necessary.
The Court slated the next hearing for March 1.
The case came up following a petition lodged by Assistant Commandant Priyanka Tyagi seeking permanent commission for eligible women officers under the short service commission.
Assistant Commandant Tyagi served for 14 years as a pilot with the Indian Coast Guard, saving more than 300 lives in sea. Her log of 4,500 flying hours is the highest among men and women officers in the force, according to a profile of hers in Femina. Appointed as a short service appointment (SSA) officer, she was denied permanent commission despite her achievements.
In 2016, she was part of the first ever all-women crew on a Dornier aircraft to undertake maritime patrolling in the eastern region.
During the hearing on Monday, the attorney-general argued for the distinctiveness of the Coast Guard compared to the Navy and Army. But the Supreme Court would have none of it.
During the preceding hearing on February 19, the Union government faced reproach, with the CJI questioning its apathy towards the Coast Guard and reluctance to integrate women.
He emphasised the importance of demonstrating nari shakti (women’s empowerment) and rebuffed the patriarchal attitude opposing the inclusion of women in the force, citing the presence of women in the Navy.
