Coming down heavily on IAS officers in the state, lawyer and activist Abha Singh on Tuesday shot off a notice to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan asking for their prosecution for not appointing a chairman and other members in the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. The posts have lying vacant for the past three years, she said.
Ms Singh has sought prosecution of secretaries from the women and child development department, who during their tenure in the given three-year period, failed to appoint the six members in commission.
“I have sent a notice to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, asking him to grant sanction to prosecute the concerned officers under Section 166 under the IPC for dereliction of their duties,” said Ms Singh.
She added that these officers were statutorily responsible for filling the posts. Her notice stated, “Despite the massive rise in crime against woman, where young girls and woman are raped, molested, sexually harassed, yet an unprecedented act has taken place where the entire Maharashtra State Women’s Commission is without any member for more than three years now.”
All this happened when the law mandates that such matters have to be decided within 45 days, she added.
“It is a result of indifference, callousness, and brazen disregard shown by the politicians and state authorities towards the critical issues affecting women. Why are all posts lying vacant for so many months and years?” asked Ms Singh.
The commission works like a watchdog and monitors women-related issues.