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State indifferent to women's issues: NCW

SHILLONG, OCT. 31. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed concern over the Meghalaya Government's ``lack of sincerity'' in addressing the grievances of women in the State and said that it would pursue the matter with ``all its might.''

The Commission member Nirmala Sitharaman, whoheld parleys with Government Secretaries and officials, told reporters last evening that she never expected such an ``indifferent attitude'' from a Government that runs a State, which has traditionally been a matrilineal society.

``Despite our sending a set of questionnaire a month back to various departments such as social welfare, education, employment and craftsmen, police, home (jail), central social welfare board, community and rural development and so on, none of them could give any specific information sought by us,'' Ms. Sitharaman said.

Assailing the State Government for its ``passive approach'' to sensitive women-related issues, she said: ``It is also unfortunate that we did not have adequate representations from the State Commissioner and Secretaries of various departments at the meeting though the Chief Secretary, P.J. Bazeley, had assured us of his full support in that direction.''

``The State Government has sought more time to furnish the information,'' she said.

The Commission has demanded that at least four women should be appointed in each block-level committee that has decision-making power.

UNI

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State indifferent to women's issues: NCW

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