SHILLONG, June 7: Noted Jowai-based filmmaker, Phidalia Toi has been removed from the post of chairperson of Meghalaya State Commission for Women.
Disclosing this on Wednesday, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said Toi does not qualify to be the chairperson of the commission any longer as she was not only involved in an election campaign but also violated the rules laid down in the Meghalaya State Commission for Women Act, 2005.
“I have studied the file of the person concerned. She is supposed to attend at least three meetings of the commission according to the rules. But she has abstained from four meetings. It was also on this ground that she can longer continue as the chairperson of the commission,” Lyngdoh said.
Given this experience, he said they will have to be very careful about the selection of the next chairperson.
Lyngdoh said a women commission is a very important constitutional body and it requires people who can give a lot of attention.
“We will come up with a panel of names. When I have those, I will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister (Conrad K Sangma),” the minister said.
To a query on the appointment of the chairperson of the commission, he said he prefers merit and quality.
“We have to set standards and people should, in fact, not be selected based on their political allegiance,” Lyngdoh said, adding the other members of the commission will continue till the end of their tenure.
The state government had on February 16 issued an order cancelling the de-notification order of the commission. The Social Welfare department had on February 14 stated that the term of the Commission stood de-notified with effect from January 18, 2023.
The issue came up following allegations that Toi violated the model code of conduct by participating in an election rally of NPP candidate, Wailadmiki Shylla. Subsequently, the Election department had issued a show-cause notice to her.
It was expected that Toi would continue in the post since there was no indication about her replacement but she has to go, finally.
Toi was appointed as the chairperson of the women commission on December 15, 2021, for a tenure of three years.
