Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal charged the Delhi government is systematically dismantling the Delhi Commission for Women after her resignation from the body. The Aam Aadmi Party leader charged the Delhi government is cutting down funds for the body and has taken over the operations of 181 helpline number.
In a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Maliwal said, “Delhi government has been systematically dismantling the DCW since my resignation from the position of chairperson in January 2024. It is deeply regrettable that the systems that I had painstakingly built since 2015 are being destroyed by the Government.”
Maliwal said the 181 helpline set up by the commission for assisting women was arbitrarily taken over by the government’s women and child development department on Monday. “The 181 women helpline had a call drop of over 70 per cent when it was being handled by the chief minister's office of the Delhi government in 2016. Due to the same, the helpline was transferred to the DCW. The 181 women helpline witnessed less than 1 per cent call drops under the commission's management. Furthermore, the helpline's robust functioning, with daily call volumes of 2000-4000, has been unmatched across the country. Without a field support system, the efficiency of the helpline will diminish, translating it into a mere referral system. The lack of consultation with key stakeholders raises concerns about the WCD's approach in ensuring optimal efficiency,” she said.
Maliwal said the commission faced cessation of funds after her resignation. “This funding deprivation over the past six months has crippled the Commission, impeding even essential expenditures on stationery and postage. Furthermore, the dedicated female ground staff members of the Commission, many of whom are survivors of atrocities like acid attacks and sexual assault, have been deprived of their rightful salaries since November 2023,” she said. Maliwal added the commission’s budget was also cut down by 28.5 per cent.
The AAP MP also added the post of chairperson and two other members including that of a Dalit member has been lying vacant since her resignation. Maliwal sought Kejriwal's intervention in the issue.
