Panel on status of women yet to know own status

A notification in this regard was issued in the last week of February.

The report card of the UPA government,released recently on completion of its three years in power,had stated: The UPA has taken some unique measures to empower women in the country. Among them,setting up of high-level committee to undertake a comprehensive study on status of women. In her recent interviews,President Pratibha Patil had also mentioned that ensuring gender equality was included in her list of policy initiatives.

However,the high-level committee formed by the UPA government to understand the status of women in India and evolve appropriate policy interventions based on contemporary assessment of women needs is yet to meet even once after the Women and Child Development Ministry formed the panel on February 16. A notification in this regard was issued in the last week of February.

Headed by retired judge of the Supreme Court,Justice Ruma Pal,the panel has renowned experts from various fields such as agriculture,political science,economics,social work and education as its members. Krishna Tirath,who holds the independent charge of Minister of State for Women and Child Development,in her reply to a query on May 17 in the Rajya Sabha,had said the 15-member panel will examine the overall status of women – including socio-economic,health and nutritional,legal and political of both rural and urban populations. The analysis is expected to take into account cross-regional differences and focus on inequalities both within and outside the household.

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However,the panel with a tenure of two years,is yet to hold its first meeting. According to sources,the delay is owing to decision over entitlements of the members. The file is still pending with the Ministry of Finance, a senior official said.

When contacted,Tirath said she wants a honorarium for the members for two years and not payments based on number of meetings. As they are required to undertake research work in their respective fields,which will also require travelling,they should be compensated accordingly. I will again check the status of the file on entitlements.

The panel members are now making the rounds of the ministry to know the status. A member said the panel has already lost more than three months. We have not met once. We have been told there is some problem over financial implications. As many members are not based in Delhi,they will also require accommodation or an allowance for their stay, the member said.