New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued a notice to the Union Government on a PIL seeking removal of gender bias and discrimination against women in Armed Forces and employing them as permanent commissioned officers.

A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain issued the Ministry of Defence to file a reply to the allegation in the petition by October 9.

The petition, filed by Counsel Khushal Mohal and Namita Roy, said the women officers were being discriminated against their male counterparts in the Army despite a 1992 decision, allowing them to join services other than the medical branch.

''There is discrimination against women, who are inducted only through the Short Service Commission (SSC) for five years without option like with the men (who opt for permanent commission at the end of 5 years) and women can serve for maximum of 14 years without benefits of pension,'' said the petition.

The lady officers did not get the rank of Lt Colonel as the service of the lady officers was not counted as reckonable service and due to this there existed anomalies in salary and allowances, alleged the petitioner.

The petition also alleged that there was discrimination against women in imparting inadequate training as women undergo 24 weeks' training as against 48 weeks' training by their male counterparts.

The discrimination against the women officers was against the cherished principles of equality enshrined in the Article 14 of the Constitution.

UNI PAT VD RS1917