In a strange turn of events, two officers, one appointed by lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the other recommended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, assumed charge as member secretary of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which rejected the former’s joining terming it “illegal” and “unacceptable”.
According to DCW officials, PP Dhal assumed charge as the “officiating” member secretary of the Commission on Tuesday following directions by Kejriwal. Kejriwal had last Saturday, in a file noting to the lG, directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and the DCW Chairperson to not implement Jung’s decision to appoint Dilraj Kaur (Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Secretary) as member secretary of the Commission.
“However, in a complete violation of the orders of the Chief Minister, the WCD and SW Secretary Dilraj Kaur on Wednesday informed the Commission that she has assumed the charge as member secretary of the DCW. The Commission has reiterated to her the directions of the CM and rejected her joining,” said a DCW statement.
The women’s body said Kaur’s appointment is in direct conflict of interest of the Commission as it monitors the functioning of the Women and Child Development (WCD) and Social Welfare departments and regularly issues notices to her on matters concerning programmes like the Nari Niketan, old age home, rehabilitation schemes, among others.