Anomalies alleged in formation of Women Commission

Our Correspondent

Itanagar, May 15: The controversy over formation of a new body of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) continued to haunt the State, with Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) strongly demanding Chief Minister Pema Khandu for immediate rectification of the alleged anomalies done by ‘arbitrary’ appointment of the fifth body of the commission.

APWWS president Dipti Bengia Tadar, during a press conference here, claimed that there were gross anomalies and violation of laid down rules of the APSCW Act 2002 at the time of constituting the fifth body of the commission.

Armed with the RTI documents obtained from the commission’s office, the APWWS president claimed that as per advertisement published in local dailies it was clearly stated that the letter of interest should reach to the office of APSCW on or before December 13, 2017 and no application would be accepted afterwards. However, none of the members of the current APSCW team had applied for any of the post within the stipulated time as per advertisement, she added.

Reportedly, as per the list prepared by panel members, the number of empanelled candidates for the post of chairperson and vice-chairperson were three each, whereas ten candidates were empanelled for members. But, the name of the three members appointed were nowhere in the prepared list as per the RTI documents.

Detailing about the APSCW members appointment procedure, she said that as per Section 5 of APSCW Act, 2002 the list of candidates is prepared by the preceding commission. However, in the case of the 5th body none of the members was in the empanelled list recommended by the outgoing APSCW team.

Further, stating that prima-facie appears that the present vice-chairperson of the commission is non-APST, the Society claimed that as per the APSCW Act, 2002 the post of chairperson, vice-chairperson and members should only be for APST and requested the government to do proper cross check of the background of candidates, while appointing the members in the commission so that no deserving tribal women are deprived.

“Despite our strong objections to the irregularities and anomalies, we’ve not received any response from any corner,” said APWWS spokesperson Gumri Ringu, adding, “How come such discrepancies cropped up?”

Stating that the appointed members neither applied for the posts nor were in the empanelled list, she also claimed that the number of posts was not as per advertisement published in the papers. “Women Commission shouldn’t be made a dumping ground or a place for political adjustment as it’s the highest body for the welfare of women in the State,” Ringu asserted, adding that the candidates applying for the Commission post should not only be qualified ones, but also really willing to work for the welfare of women.

Meanwhile, the APWWS members, who called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday and submitted a representation for immediate rectification to the appointments made to the 5th APSCW, said that the CM after giving a patient hearing to their grievances had assured them of looking into the matter and sought a week’s time for the same.