Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday de-notified the entire Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) following complaints of violation of model code of conduct after the Election Commission of India slapped a show cause notice to MSWC Chairperson, Phidalia Toi allegedly for participating in a rally taken out by National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Wailadmiki Shylla.
In a notification issued by Commissioner and Secretary Social Welfare, Pravin Bakshi said the term of the MSCW was notified vide Government Notification No. SW (S) 15/90/Pt 11/684, dated 15th December 2021 stands de-notified with effect January 18, 2023.
Interestingly, the government notification was issued on Tuesday hours after the Congress party lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor demanding the immediate removal of Toi as chairperson of the MSCW for participating in a rally taken out by NPP candidate from Jowai assembly constituency at Jowai, the district headquarters of West Jaintia Hills.
Another MSWC member, Felicita Majaw has also come under the scanner of election authorities for violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 was also seen supporting Congress candidate, Marbud Dkhar, who also is her husband, during the filing of nomination papers.
A concerned citizen had recently lodged a complaint against Majaw with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Frederick Roy Kharkongor with news links showing her participation in the rally as she wore the Congress scarf and supported the candidate. The complaint has sought her removal as a member of the commission.
Interestingly, the Congress party which is plagued with defections is muted on Majaw’s alleged violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
However, Toi said, “I have resigned as the chairperson of MSCW since last year, but the government has accepted my resignation recently.”
“I did not participate in the rally, but just accompanied Shylla, who is the son of my cousin brother. I did not even put the party muffler neither did i participate in any rally nor campaigned for him (Shylla),” Toi told UNI over the phone.
Earlier, the CEO said the chairperson of a women’s commission is usually a political appointee. “We will have to check the rules and we also have to check the veracity of the complaint. So right now until I get something in black and white it will be premature for me to say anything,” the election official said.
Taking cognisance of the complaint submitted by Congress against Toi, Kharkongor said that he has directed his subordinates to seek a report from the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills district and verify the various points raised in the complaint.
“Necessary action will follow after receiving the report. If need be there will also be a show cause issued so that it is evenly balanced. We have to get the report from the district administration and the reply from the chairperson. We will then refer the report to the Election Commission, which will give us direction on what to do,” Kharkongor said.
Election Commission Notice
Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show cause notice to Phidalia Toi, Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission (MSWC) allegedly for participating in a rally taken out by National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Wailadmiki Shylla at Jowai, the district headquarters of West Jaintia Hills, an election official said on Tuesday.
Shylla is seeking re-election from the Jowai assembly constituency.
The Returning Officer of Jowai Assembly Constituency issued a show-cause notice to Toi on Monday directing her to reply by Wednesday (February 15) as to why action should not be taken against her for violation of the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 2019.
“As the Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women, you are deemed to be a public servant as per the description laid down in Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,” the show cause notice read.
Moreover, the notice also specified that as per the provisions of Rule 20 of the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 2019 which states that: “no government employee shall be a member of, or otherwise be associated with any political party, or with any organization which takes part in politics, or whose activities have political bearing, nor shall he or she take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.”
