At least four complainants returned home disappointed after they couldn’t find the office of the state commission for women and child rights functioning from under a Chinar tree in the old assembly complex here.
The government body meant for the protection of women andchildren has no office since the government shifted back to summer capitalSrinagar recently in the bi-annual Darbar Move.
“As the Darbar got shifted here, I came here with a hope toregister a case of domestic violence with the women’s commission, but failingto find an office of the commission, I am returning home disappointed,” saidQulsum (name changed) who had come here from Baramulla to register her casewith the commission.
An official associated with the State Commission for Womenand Child Rights said at least four cases came but all of them had to go backhome “because we have not been provided with an office as yet”.
“There are women who had come from far off areas to gettheir cases registered, but we couldn’t help them.”
The office space for the employees of the Commission,previously known as Women’s Commission, has been handed over to the newlyconstituted State Law Commission.
In June last year, after J&K came under Governor’s rule,chairperson of the State Women’s Commission resigned, as per the convention andsince then the commission has been headless.
Earlier it was without a head for seven years, until 2010.
As reported by Greater Kashmir, women’s commission hasreceived 3,141 cases of torture and harassment against women during the past 18years.
The commission, as per the amended Act, has the power toinvestigate, examine and review all matters relating to the safeguard providedfor women and children under the constitution and laws in force.
The commission has been provided with the powers of a civilcourt and is required to submit an annual report to the state government andalso a special report when an issue needs immediate attention.
Over 200 cases are pending in the commission for approval.