JAIPUR: Even though Rajasthan has earned a bad name for ever rising crimes against women and children, important statutory body like the state women commission remains without a chief for more than three years.
Activists and women organisations have been demanding an appointment for the last three years, but the Gehlot government has so far failed to find a chairperson and members.
"Despite a high court order, the state government is neglecting statutory bodies. Out of the10 statutory commissions, only three have a chairman though the court in an order had asked the government to make the appointments promptly. Previous governments, too, had made such appointments only after the court intervened. These bodies are meant for good governance and provide a platform for target groups to redress their grievances. Instead of ignoring them, these legal bodies should be nurtured.-Times View"
In an earlier order, the high court had taken suo motu cognizance on the issue and said these statutory bodies are an integral part of good governance and needed to be filled up on time. The last commission chairperson Suman Sharma's term came to an end on October 19, 2018 and the body remained headless since.
Sharma, who was appointed as chairperson of the commission during the last BJP government, alleged that “There is no better example of lack of sensitivity on the part of the government towards burning issues of crimes against women than absence of the statutory body to deal with women issues.” She said the heinous crimes against women are on the rise in the state but the government’s neglect is baffling.
“During CM Ashok Gehlot’s first tenure (1998-2003), the women commission came in to being in the state. He used to have respect for such statutory bodies. But the inordinate delay in the appointment to such an important statutory body is quite perplexing in his current tenure,” said Prof Lad Kumari Jain, former chairperson of the commission.
Jain said the commission used to provide an important forum for women to express their grievances and district-level hearings were used to be held.
“These mechanisms which ensure accountability are undermined like this is shameful to democracy. Three years have gone past and no appointments. When the political message is like this, why will the bureaucrats respect these organizations, said Kavita Srivastav, state PUCL president.
