Govt to induct women in all streams of Armed forces: Prez

“The government has approved the induction of women as Short Service Commission officers and as fighter pilots in IAF. In the future, government will induct women in all the fighter streams of our armed forces,” Mukherjee said in his address to Parliament.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the first armed force in the country to induct women in the fighter stream. Navy is planning to induct women as pilots in its aircraft used for surveillance which flies from the shore. He said the government has initiated several measures to ensure women safety.

“The government has initiated several measures to ensure safety and security of women which include nationwide Emergency Response Systems, a Central Victim Compensation Fund, Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children, and Organized Crime Investigative Agency and an Integrated Emergency Response Management System for women’s safety on the railways,” he said.

The Central Victim Compensation Fund scheme was launched in October last year with an initial corpus of Rs 200 crore to support victims of rape, acid attacks, human trafficking and cross-border firing. 

Under the nationwide Emergency Response Systems, single emergency response number will be used in case of any emergency, especially by women in distress.

Speaking on ties with Pakistan Mukherjee said the government is committed to forging a “mutually respectful relationship” with neighbouring country while asserting that “firm and effective” steps will be taken to deal with any situation arising out of cross-border terrorism. 

Meanwhile, the Congress said the President’s address in Parliament was a “big disappointment” and there was “nothing new” to offer to the public. “There was nothing new in the speech. It was full of slogans like ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’. The atmosphere is tense in the country. There was nothing on this and also no mention of tension with neighbouring countries,” Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said.