By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 21: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has been without a chairperson for almost nine months, but it does not end there. Now with the model code of conduct (MCC) in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the appointment of the MSCW chief is likely to happen after the results are announced on April 19.
The post of the chairperson has remained vacant following the resignation of Phidalia Toi on June 24 last year.
The new chairperson, if elected will have about nine or less months to remain in office since the term of the present body will end in December this year.
The delay in the appointment of the new chairperson has affected the overall functioning of the commission, sources in the commission have said.
It has become 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.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh had recently stated that it will take a matter of weeks for the government to take a final decision on the matter.
“There are a couple of names but these require the approval of the chief minister. So we will share information with you as and when he has approved,” he had earlier said.