July 2, 2024 12:15 PM.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal has today alleged systematic dismantling of the Delhi Commission for Women by the Delhi Government. In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Ms. Maliwal hit out at the Delhi government for reportedly destroying the systems built during the time she helmed the commission. She has cited alleged issues of non-payment of salary, budget cuts, removal of staff and vacancy of leadership positions.
She also expressed concern over the withdrawal of the women’s helpline number. Ms. Maliwal has demanded the intervention of Mr. Kejriwal in the matter and requested him to ensure that the responsibilities towards the women and children of the National Capital are upheld by the Delhi government.
Former Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal has urged chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to address the “takeover” of 181 women’s helpline and the “systemic erosion” of DCW.In a letter written to Kejriwal on Tuesday, Maliwal, now an AAP Rajya Sabha member, claimed that since her resignation from DCW in Jan, Delhi govt had been making the commission a “weak institution”. Highlighting govt’s “arbitrary” takeover of DCW’s 181 helpline for the women and children in need, Maliwal added, “It is crucial to safeguard systems that protect women and girls.”
She also alleged that DCW staff had not been paid for the past six months, the commission’s budget had been cut by 28.5%, and no attempt had been made to fill the posts of the chairperson and two members. The post of its Dalit member has been lying vacant for 1.5 years, she added.Requesting chief minister to stop the “deliberate disintegration” of DCW, Maliwal said, “As soon as I left, every possible effort was made to make the women’s commission a weak institution again. Why is Delhi govt taking out its enmity on women?
Today I have written a letter to Arvind Kejriwal-ji and asked for an answer from him.”Women and child development minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday said the 181 helpline would now be run by his department and the number would remain inoperative for a few days for the transition. Central govt plans to make it mandatory for the helpline to be run by the department, not by DCW, Gahlot had said.Calling her a “BJP puppet”,
AAP alleged that while Maliwal had earlier accused lieutenant governor VK Saxena of arbitrarily removing 223 staff and stalling DCW funds and salaries, she was now levelling the same charges against Delhi govt. “Maliwal is well aware that vide gazette notification dated 11.08.2023, central govt snatched the powers of Delhi govt regarding the appointment of any personnel” despite a Supreme Court order… Then on whose instructions is Maliwal acting now?”Referring to Maliwal’s letter, BJP MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Bansuri Swaraj said the poor condition of DCW was the evidence of Kejriwal’s insensitivity towards women’s safety