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Journalism of Courage
Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh will not commit himself on autonomy for the National Commission for Women NCW but has promised the panel all help.
Inaugurating websites for the NCW http://www.ncw.nic.in and National Resource Centre for Women http://www.nrcw.nic.in at a function here today, Singh said he was unaware of the NCW8217;s problems.
With NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas by his side, Singh said: 8220;The NCW would get a new building, huge funds, manpower and all that8217;s needed for the commission8217;s smooth functioning by March 2006.8221;
Confronted by former NCW members over the commission8217;s lack of autonomy, the minister, who controls the the commission8217;s functioning, would say: 8220;Before I promise anything more we need to restore the credibility of the commission.8221;
Saying he had no idea that daily wagers were managing the panel, Singh said: 8220;There had been no coordination between the government and the NCW so far.8221; Saying things would improve now, he added: 8220;Only after all the problems have been removed, we should expect NCW to show results.8221;
Singh had not been in favour of Vyas being made NCW chairperson 8212; her appointment eventually had to be okayed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He was also opposed to giving Vyas cabinet status after she was made NCW chairperson.
The websites inaugurated today are likely to give a fillip to the women8217;s movement. The NCW portal will register complaints from women online while http://www.nrcw.nic.in will be a resource centre for institutions and individuals.
