In order to leave no stone unturned in the appointment of a new Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW), the state government will allow people to apply for the role if they have been left out of consideration by the search committee.
The commission has been without a chair for months since the last one, Phidalia Toi, was removed by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh after she had supposedly taken part in political campaigning during last year’s state elections.
Lyngdoh has been at pains to make clear that the appointment of a replacement will not depend on political connections but on merit.
A search committee has recommended four to five names but extra time was given for others to submit their names for consideration as well.
The whole process will conclude by the end of the month, he promised.
The minister informed that he was made aware by certain individuals that they considered themselves quite fit to hold the post but they were not named by the search committee. The department felt it would be better to open the door for everybody.