Women can't lift LPG cylinders? SC awards Rs 12 lakh to woman denied bottling plant job

The Supreme Court ordered IOCL to pay Rs 12 lakh to Sumitra after denying her an LPG bottling plant job. The court said rejecting her because she was a woman who supposedly could not lift cylinders was an insult to womanhood.

In Short

• Sumitra was found qualified for the refilling helper post at IOCL
• She was rejected because the corporation said women could not lift cylinders
• The Supreme Court questioned that assumption, calling it an insult to womanhood

The Supreme Court has ordered Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to pay Rs 12 lakh compensation to a qualified woman candidate who was denied a job at an LPG bottling plant solely because she was a woman.

The woman, identified as Sumitra, had been denied appointment to the post of refilling helper on the ground that she would not be able to lift LPG cylinders.

The Supreme Court strongly criticised the reasoning behind the decision, questioning the assumption that women cannot perform physically demanding work such as lifting LPG cylinders.

The court also described the approach as an insult to womanhood.

JOB DENIED OVER ABILITY TO LIFT CYLINDERS

IOCL had refused to appoint Sumitra to the LPG bottling plant job despite her being a qualified candidate.

The reason given was that she was a woman and, according to the corporation's reasoning, "a woman cannot lift cylinders".

The Supreme Court questioned the basis of such an assumption and asked, "You think women can't lift LPG cylinders?"

The court criticised the decision to exclude her from employment simply on the basis of her gender, saying such reasoning amounted to an affront to women's dignity.

COMPENSATION INSTEAD OF APPOINTMENT

By the time the matter reached the Supreme Court, Sumitra had reached the age of retirement.

As she could no longer be appointed to the post, the court decided that monetary compensation would be appropriate.

The Supreme Court therefore directed IOCL to pay her a one-time compensation of Rs 12 lakh.

The order provides compensation for the employment opportunity she was denied after being considered unsuitable solely because she was a woman.

- Ends