SHILLONG:
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, on July 4, informed that the Commissioner & Secretary to the department was heading the search committee for selection of eligible persons for appointment as new chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW).
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said the committee also comprises three official members and three college principals as non-official members.
Refusing to comment on the legal notice served by the former MSCW chairperson Phidalia Toi, the minister said, “I have said what I wanted to say but what we are doing now (briefing on drug issue) is much more important than one individual.”
When asked that Toi had accused him of abusing his power, Lyngdoh said, “You can always keep talking to her.”
On the recent suicide of a 16-year-old girl, who was a victim of sexual assault, in a shelter home, the minister said, “See these are instances which are very unfortunate but now what we have done is we have also revamped the department. We have brought in an officer who is well acquainted with education as director of social welfare. I am sure, she will be able to contribute much more immensely because these are areas where a lot of counselling requires to be done, a lot of consistent interaction requires to be done and which is why I am taking more interest, tomorrow, day after I am visiting West Khasi Hills to see how the CDPO offices work, how the ICDS scheme works starting from West Khasi Hills. So we are proactive and we are on the job.”