Delay in appointment of the chairperson to the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission (SWC) has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla said, “We had hoped to take up the matter in the third week of April, but owing to the Covid pandemic that is getting more serious by the day we don’t want to take any chances.”
Shylla told Highland Post that the government has received list of names and these will be decided once the situation subsides.
The SCW’s term ended in September last year. The crucial commission has remained dormant and concerned women said this is unacceptable as it is vital for the welfare of women and particularly a support for women in distress.
It may be mentioned that a Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that the latest recommendation on December 7, 2020 had been sent to the state authorities by the Social Welfare Department recommending the appointment of former chairperson of the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, Meena Kharkongor, as the new chairperson of the SWC.
The information was sought by social activist Agnes Kharshiing who disclosed that initially, in November there were four applicants for post of chairperson.
The four candidates were L Tariang, retired deputy director of the Social Welfare Department, OB Tariang, a businesswomen, Pynhun Suchiang, another retired Social Welfare Department official, and Bharati B Sangma, an ex-member of the SCW and college lecturer.
