Government seeks opinion on NCW Act revision

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) The Centre has asked for a detailed proposal from the National Commission for Women (NCW) to amend the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, aimed at bestowing more powers on the body.

Once the proposals are forwarded by NCW, the Centre will take a final call on the new shape of the Commission.

According to government sources, the Commission, though instrumental in empowering women across the country, enjoys far less powers compared to other such bodies like National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and minority committees.

While status wise the NHRC Chairman is on a par with the Chief Justice of India, the rank of the NCW chairperson is equal to that of a secretary to government of India.

Similarly, NHRC members are on a par with the judges of Supreme Court while NCW members enjoy powers equal to additional secretaries.

At present, the commission can only issue notices as it does not have punitive powers.

It lacks the powers of appointing even grade IV employees. Any appointment, when required to be made, has to be done through the government, the sources added.

The Commission has a total of five members, which should be increased to seven owing to the resposnsibilities it handles, the sources said.

Pointing out the uncertainties the Commission faces, the source said there is a lack of consistency in the Commission as all its members are political appointees.

The NCW was set up in January 1992 as a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 (Act Number 20 of 1990 of government of India) to review the consitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommend remedial measures, redress grievances and policy advice.

For the smooth functioning of any such bodies, autonomy, independence and more decision-taking powers are a must, the sources added.

UNI