The removal of Phidalia Toi as Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) was done by the book, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said today.
It was last week that Lyngdoh told reporters that Toi was being removed for associating herself with a political party’s campaign during this year’s state elections and for not attending the requisite number of MSCW meetings.
However, yesterday, the MSCW shot back in a press release where it described the sacking as ultra vires and against the law. Toi, according to the commission, had attended all four MSCW meetings and that she had not been given a right of reply to the accusations against her, instead finding out about her dismissal through the media.
Lyngdoh defended his actions today, saying that the decision on Toi’s dismissal was taken after he had studied a detailed report.
“The Chairperson is aware that one has to be present at four consecutive meetings. The notings on the files clearly suggested that was not the case,” the minister said. “Also, a complaint was lodged against her for being involved in an election campaign. It’s very easy for people to make allegations against the government. When we don’t act, the public say that we are silent, when we act they ask why we are acting.”
The department will now constitute a search committee for a replacement Chairperson. Since it has been alleged several times that the government tends to pick people friendly to it, the new appointment will be from a non-political background, Lyngdoh added.
In February, Toi, had been photographed participating in a National People’s Party (NPP) rally in support of Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla. She was then sent a show-cause notice by the Election Commission after a complaint was received from the Congress Party.
