New Delhi: A proposal to induct women pilots in the navy was under consideration of the defence ministry and certain clarifications have been sought from the service, parliament was told on Friday.

A proposal for induction of "women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers" as pilots in the Maritime Reconnaissance stream was received from Naval Headquarters.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar expressed to the Lok Sabha the steps which have been taken in this regard in a written reply:

This proposal was examined in the ministry and certain clarifications have been sought from Indian Navy.

In response to a question on whether the government received complaints of gender discrimination in the force, he said: "Women officers have been afforded equal opportunities in every single way vis-a-vis their male counterparts to the extent feasible and subject to service exigencies. Complaints received have been dealt with as per the extant policy." (IANS) (Picture Courtesy:zeenews.india.com)