Women president forced to part with coveted post

Aizawl, Jun 21 (UNI) In order to retain her post as the Mizoram Public Service Commission Chairperson, B Sangkhumi had to give up her post as president of Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl, the state's largest women's body.

B Sangkhumi has tendered her resignation a few days back after advise from Mizoram Governor MM Lakhera. Earlier, Lakhera had reminded her that 'conduct rules' prevents a public service commission chairperson from holding a contested post or to contest for such post.

This has taken the MHIP general headquarters office bearers by surprise. The shocked office bearers met the governor today for a satisfactory explanation. The governor clearly explained to them the national norms, which are being strictly followed by public service commissions all over the country. He also reportedly mentioned how the same case had caused a big problem in Punjab.

However, the women leaders seemed dissatisfied. The senior vice-president has refused to take the president's charge. A meeting of the office bearers this afternoon came out undecided.

''Since, high courts and public service commissions are statutory bodies, it is against the conduct rules to hold two posts together.

Since, I am the first Mizo woman to hold MPSC chairman's post, I prefer to surrender the MHIP president post,'' Ms Sangkhumi said.

Ms Sangkhumi, whose husband Ramhluna Khiangte happens to be the chief minister's technical adviser, has been elected to the president's post for two successive terms.

She has been appointed as the fourth chairperson of the Mizoram Public Service Commission on May 9, nearly five months after she was elected as the MHIP president.

UNI