CM asks Women's Panel chairperson, member to step down

Hyderabad, July 13 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today asked Andhra Pradesh State Mahila Commission Chairperson Mary Ravindranath and panel member Padmaja Reddy to immediately step down from their posts following the ruckus they created in public at Tirupati yesterday.

''You are there to serve and protect the interests and dignity of women. We should be proud of our women. But you have damaged the reputation of the women's commission'', Dr Reddy told Ms Ravindranath during their meeting today.

Taking serious exception to what had happened yesterday Dr Reddy said the government could not tolerate such gross indiscipline by persons holding high posts. He was of the opinion that both the Chairperson and the member had crossed all limits.

The Chief Minister said while the State Government gave top priority for the welfare and development of women and wanted the commission to work with all seriousness and discipline to prevent atrocities against women, such behaviour by the Commission Chairperson and the member was a matter of serious concern.

Ms Mary Ravindranath and Ms Padmaja Reddy snarled and sniped at each other openly in front of the media on Thursday spoiling the image and reputation of the Mahila Commission.

UNI