Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the removal of 223 employees from the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), citing their employment as "irregular" and "illegal". This decision followed an inquiry report that alleged former DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal appointed these staff members without proper authorization.
According to the report, Swati Maliwal allegedly engaged these employees without obtaining approval from the finance department and the Lieutenant Governor. The order, issued by the additional director of the Women and Child Development department, highlighted that only 40 posts were sanctioned under the DCW Act, and no permission was sought for appointing additional members.
The order emphasized that the DCW lacked the authority to hire these individuals as contractual employees. It pointed out the absence of proper procedures in appointing staff, including a failure to conduct a study to assess the actual staffing needs and eligibility criteria for each position.
Furthermore, administrative approval and expenditure sanctions from the Government of NCT Delhi were reportedly not obtained for engaging these employees, and applications for the posts were not issued. Additionally, the employees allegedly lacked assigned roles and responsibilities.
In response, Swati Maliwal criticized the order, likening it to "Tughlaqi" decrees. She expressed concern that removing all contract staff from the DCW would effectively immobilize the organization, which heavily relies on these employees. Maliwal vehemently defended the DCW's role and its dedicated staff, pledging to fight against the closure of the institution.
Maliwal's impassioned response reflects the stakes involved in the ongoing controversy surrounding the DCW's staffing practices and underscores the broader issues of governance and accountability within the organization.
