By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Two months have passed since the tenure of the previous members of the State Women Commission ended, but the State Government is yet to make any appointments for the post of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and other members.
As per the Meghalaya State Commission for Women Act, 2005, the tenure of a Commission expires after every three years at the end of which the State Government is bound to constitute a new body to lead the Commission.
This undue delay in the appointment of the new members has affected the functioning of the Commission which is responsible for hearing of various cases relating to crimes against women.
Official sources on Tuesday revealed that the last Commission, headed by Susanna K Marak as the Chairperson, ended its three-year term in July this year. The commission was appointed in July 2008.
Despite not making any fresh appointments, the State Government still asked the Marak-led Commission to wind up its activities in August.
Meanwhile, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing has strongly criticised the State Government for the delay in the appointment of the new Commission.
Claiming that the new Commission would be a political appointee, Kharshiing said, “Our only reservation is that the members who are going to be appointed should be sensitive towards women’s issues.”
While lauding the work undertaken by Marak and her team, Kharshiing advocated for strengthening the Commission by making suitable amendments to the Act.
