By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 31: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, on Tuesday, said that the appointment of the new chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) will not take much time.
“What is left is consultation with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. We were not able to sit since we were both on tour. But we will take appropriate decisions once we are able to sit,” Lyngdoh said while speaking to reporters. He also maintained that the appointment of the new chairperson should not be delayed anymore.
Four names have been shortlisted by a search committee to fill the vacant post.
Lyngdoh said that the role of the MSCW chair is a very prestigious matter.
It may be recalled that the minister had earlier said that it has been alleged several times that the government tends to pick people who are friendly with those in the dispensation. Hence, the new chairperson will be from a non-political background.
The MSCW has been without a chairperson since Phidalia Toi resigned in June.
The delay in the appointment of the new chairperson has affected the overall functioning of the commission, sources in the commission said.
The sources told The Shillong Times on Monday that the MSCW has not been able to finalise any programme without anyone at the helm. They said it is difficult for the vice-chairperson to take up the responsibility of the chairperson since she is based in Garo Hills and is preoccupied with engagements there.
In the absence of a chairperson, Meghalaya has to be represented by a member for any meeting of the National Commission for Women, which has shown the state in poor light.
“The delay in the appointment of the chairperson only reflects that the state government is not giving due importance to the commission. In other states, the appointment of a chairperson happens within two weeks,” a source said.
The sources also observed that the new chairperson will only have about a year to remain in office since the term of the present body will end in December 2024.