Army scraps boards for promotion to Colonel rank
As an immediate fallout of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) judgment on March 2, the Army has cancelled its ongoing boards for promotions from Lt Colonel to Colonel rank and a decision has been taken that further boards will not be held till “concrete” policy decision in he matter is taken.
The AFT had last Monday quashed the Army’s 2009 policy which was resulting in the promotion of officers from select arms — infantry and artillery. “The selection board which was to sit between March 10-14 is not held. Further, boards will not be held till a further decision is taken regarding this matter,” an Army official confirmed.
Related
Senior officials in the know believe that the only way the Army can push ahead with the scheduled boards is by getting a special leave petition from the Supreme Court or by changing the policy, as directed by the AFT. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too is learnt to have “seen” the judgment and “given a thought” to its likely implications, according to sources.
While pronouncing the judgment, the AFT had called that the “discriminatory” policy is “bad in law” and that the pro rata policy that existed before 2008 be restored.
Source:: Indian Express
