Swati Maliwal allegedly appointed 223 DCW employees without permission, Delhi L-G orders removal
- In Reports
- 12:15 PM, May 02, 2024
- Myind Staff
According to news agency ANI, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered the immediate removal of 223 employees from the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). The action was taken due to allegations that DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal appointed them without permission, violating the rules.
The Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development issued a letter stating that, in light of the irregularities and illegalities observed within the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor has sanctioned the proposal.
The letter specifies that appointments of contractual staff in DCW, made without sanctioned posts and without following due procedures, are deemed void-ab-initio. As a result, such appointments cannot be permitted to continue within DCW.
The letter from the Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development highlighted that in October 2016, they informed the DCW that its order from September 10, 2016, lacked the approval of the Lieutenant Governor (L-G). This order aimed to create 223 posts within the DCW.
Referring to subsection (i) of section 05 of the Delhi Commission for Women Act, 2013, the letter stated that the DCW lacks the authority to independently appoint or engage employees. This subsection mandates that the government shall provide the Commission with necessary officers and employees for the efficient performance of its functions under the Act.
The letter cited findings from a Delhi government committee tasked with investigating the appointments made by the DCW. It stated that "large-scale administrative and financial irregularities/violations have been observed in the functioning of the DCW."
The Kejriwal government initiated the establishment of this committee in 2017, following a report by the Delhi government's Directorate of Audit and the registration of a case by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), to investigate the appointments made by the DCW.
The alleged irregularities encompassed a range of violations, including irregular appointments, unauthorized engagement of manpower, irregularities in the appointments of Consultant cum Advisor cum Member Secretary, rejection of a Member Secretary appointed by the LG, and illegal appointment of a Member Secretary by the Women's Commission against the provisions of the Delhi Commission for Women Act, 2013.
Additionally, the Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development highlighted other alleged violations such as the unauthorized implementation of projects and the award of unauthorized procurement of motor vehicles.
The letter asserted that the decisions and actions taken by the DCW exceeded their delegated power, deviated from various laid-down procedures, and violated the DCW Act, rules, regulations, and guidelines issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi from time to time.
The letter further stated that the Committee identified the 223 job posts created and filled with contractual staff as "irregular" due to the failure to follow proper procedures and obtain the L-G's approval. It also highlighted that the enhancement of remuneration and allowances to the staff of DCW lacked adequate justification and contravened the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
Image source: Business Today
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