In a surprise action, the State government has denotified the entire Meghalaya State Women’s Commission although the term of the commission is yet to be over.
The notification that denotified the Women’s Commission was issued by Commissioner & Secretary (Social Welfare Department), Pravin Bakshi today.
What is more interesting is that the notification issued today mentioned that the Women’s Commission “stands denotified with effect from 18th January, 2023”.
It also came after the District Election Officer in West Jaintia Hills has issued a show-cause notice to Phidalia Toi, chairperson of the Women’s Commission, for taking part in the rally taken out by Jowai NPP candidate, Wailadmiki Shylla to file his nomination papers.
Further, what begs for an answer is whether the State government can issue such an order for denotification of the Women’s Commission when the election model code of conduct is already in place.
The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) was constituted on December 15, 2021 with Toi as the chairperson.
Semalotha Ch Sangma retired Director, Soil and Water Conservation Department has been appointed as the vice-chairperson, Candida Kharsyntiew, Felicita L. Majaw, former Lecturer, Nongstoin College, Violet Lyngdoh former JHADC MDC and Susan M. Sangma retired head of department (Garo), Don Bosco College, Tura were appointed as members. Linda J. Sangma was appointed as the secretary of the Commission.
As per the notification, the members of the Commission will be in office for a term of three years.
Meanwhile, taking note to a news report published by Highland Post regarding participation of Toi at the NPP candidate’s rally, the District Election Officer (DEO) in West Jaintia Hills has issued a show-cause notice to Toi yesterday directing her to reply within two days as to why action should not be taken against her for violation of the Meghalaya Service (Conduct) Rules 2019.
“As the Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women, you are deemed to be a public servant as per the description laid down in Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,” the show cause notice read.
According to Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, a Women’s Commission chairperson is deemed a government servant, and the Meghalaya Service (Conduct) Rules 2019 prevent such an employee from being associated with any political party or with an organisation which has a political bearing.
“Your participation has given room for suspicion that you are favouring the said candidate… Such actions are prejudicial to the neutrality expected of a government employee,” the DEO said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Frederick Roy Kharkongor has on February 9 directed the DEO, East Khasi Hills to launch an enquiry and submit a report “at the earliest” on allegations that a member of the Women Commission, Felicita Majaw violated the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by supporting Congress candidate, Marbud Dkhar, who also is her husband, during the filing of nomination papers.
The order for enquiry followed a recent complaint lodged by a concerned citizen with the Chief Electoral Officer. The complainant also enclosed news links showing Majaw’s participation in the rally as she wore the Congress scarf and supported the candidate. The complainant has sought her removal as a member of the commission.
Today, a delegation of Congress leaders led by AICC media coordinators – Bobbeeta Sharma and Mathew Anthony and State Mahila Congress president Joplin Scott Shylla submitted a complaint before the Chief Electoral Officer and demanded the immediate removal of Toi and to also disqualify Wailad Shylla as a candidate.
“We have taken cognisance of the complaint and I have entrusted my Additional CEO in-charge MCMC who will in turn seek a report from the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills and verify the various points raised in the complaint,” Kharkongor told reporters.
“On receipt of the report, necessary action will follow. If need be there will also be a show cause issued so that it is evenly balanced. We have to get from all sides, from the district administration we have to get the report, we have to get the reply from one being complained against,” he said while adding “We will then refer the report to the Election Commission, which will give us direction on what to do.”
When asked, Kharkongor said, “The chairperson of a women’s commission is usually a political appointee but we will have to check the rules and we also have to check the veracity of the complaint. So right now until I get something in black and white it will be premature for me to say anything.”
