Chief for women’s commission soon

Clara Lewis TNN 

Mumbai: A chairperson for the State Women’s Commission is to be appointed anytime soon. The chairperson is a political appointee and since the portfolio is part of the Congress bouquet, the race is between Susiben Shah and Janet D’Souza of the Congress. Shah contested the recent civic elections from Malabar Hill and lost while D’Souza had contested the MLA elections from Ghatkopar and had lost. 
    Shah is reportedly part of the Murli Deora camp and D’Souza is said to belong to the Gurudas Kamat camp. Shah, who runs the Priyadarshini fleet taxi service for women, is tipped to make it to the post which has the trappings of a cabinet post, said sources. 
    Officials from the women and child department said the names of six members of the panel have been finalized. 
    CM Prithviraj Chavan said he was aware that the post has been vacant for a long time. “We shall make the announcement soon,” he told TOI and added, “We are awaiting some recommendation letters.” 
    The post has been vacant since four years. In the wake of increased attacks on women, there has been an incessant demand to revive the commission. An autonomous body and an interface between the government and NGOs, it keeps the government informed on trends and helps formulate women-friendly policies. “In recent years, in the absence of a chairperson, the office has been reduced to conducting workshops and seminars,’’ said a source. 
    Sonia Gill, member of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, said the chairperson must have experience and standing.

Source::: The Times of India, 10-01-2013, p.4. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW