New Delhi, November 30: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday while speaking on the role of women in forces said that the Army isn't really ready to take women in the front-line combat role in the Army. "We haven't yet taken them in the front-line combat role. We feel we aren't yet ready", he said. In his address, Rawat further added saying that people of the nation will see an increase in the role of women in Armed forces in the near future. He said efforts are being taken to give women officers a Permanent Commission.

The Army Chief informed saying that keeping women officers in fields like language interpreter, military diplomacy will be beneficial. "In some fields where the Army needs permanency and male officers in a command-oriented Army don't fit everywhere", he added. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat Wants Illegal Immigrants 'Deported', Says Parties Supporting Them 'Undermining National Security'. 

The Army Chief further noted that the western nations are more open about the fact as boys and girls are operating together in big cities. He added saying things can't match the same in our nation as people in Army don't come from big cities. Reports inform that at present, there are 1,561 women officers in the Army, 1,594 in the IAF and 644 in the Navy. Army Defends General Bipin Rawat's Remark on AIUDF, Bangladeshi Immigrants: 'Nothing Political or Religious'.

During his Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s had announced that permanent commission would be granted to serving women officers of the armed forces. He had said that this will change the career paths of more than 3,700 women officers in the three services, besides providing a full-length career opportunity for women aspirants in the future. “Women officers who have been selected through the Short Service Commission in our defence forces will now have the option to take up permanent commission”, Modi had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 30, 2018 10:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).