Four names have been shortlisted by a search committee to fill the vacancy of chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW).
This was informed by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh today.
Lyngdoh had, in June, removed the incumbent chairperson Phidalia Toi for failing to attend the requisite number of MSCW meetings and for taking part in the election campaign of a candidate during this year’s state Assembly election. Toi had denied those charges.
Lyngdoh said that the role of MSCW chair is a very prestigious matter. The search committee is tasked only with finding suitable names for chairperson; the other members of the commission will complete their tenure.
In June, the minister had also said that it has been alleged several times that the government tends to pick people friendly to it, so the new appointment of chairperson will be from a non-political background.
“Now that four names have been suggested by the search committee, I will be sitting with the Chief Minister and after a meeting is held we will be able to share this information, but the chairperson will definitely be a woman,” Lyngdoh said.