New Delhi, February 22: Disappointed with the functioning of the National Commission for Women (NCW), one of its key members, Neeva Konwar, resigned after serving for nearly five years.
Konwar has decided to raise the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Confirming her resignation, Konwar told That, “I plan to meet them and tell them about the issues concerning NCW. There is an urgent need for their intervention.”
According to sources, a cold war was on between Konwar and one of the commission’s officials for several years, however, a recent incident prompted her resignation.
Konwar said she was investigating into a marital dispute case of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The report was submitted well on time, “it was purposely not put as an agenda item in the commission’s meeting.” “In fact, the file disappeared from the chairperson’s office,” said one of Konwar’s close aide. Konwar consequently resigned on February 12.
The five-member commission is now left with only two members — Wansuk Syeim and Yasmeen Abrar. Commission’s three key posts of under secretary, deputy secretary and joint secretary are also lying vacant for the past few months now.
“Working for any woman is not easy in the commission. All of them have resigned due to not so conducive work atmosphere here. If no action is taken, others will also be compelled to leave,” one of the commission’s officials said on condition of anonymity.
Expelled from the NCW by the then Union Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury, former member Nirmala Venkatesh said she also faced similar problems.
Konwar’s resignation has now been sent to the Union Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath who said she was yet to see the resignation and the grounds on which Konwar has resigned.
—-Agencies