Article Posted on : - Nov 22, 2010

NEW DELHI (PTI): A total of 6,749 women officers were working in the armed forces, with over one-third of them inducted during the last three years, Lok Sabha was informed Monday.

"2,591 women officers have been inducted into the armed forces in the last three years and a total of 6,749 of them are working in the Services," Defence Minister A K Antony said in written reply to a Lok Sabha query.

He said the highest numbers of officers were with the Army followed by the Army Medical Corps and the Indian Air Force.

The Minister said a "zero tolerance" policy was adopted by the government on harassment of women.

Antony added that though some cases of sexual harassment have taken place, but no incident has been reported where a woman candidate has been declined a job due to discrimination or harassment.

He added that the government was considering a proposal to grant Permanent Commission to women officers in branches such as Judge Advocate General (JAG) and Army Education Corps (AEC) and their corresponding branches in the other two services.

To a question whether the government has taken cognisance of the infrastructure development by China in Tibet and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Antony said the government keeps track of infrastructure development and military activities in both the regions.