Former DCW Chief Accuses Delhi Govt of Dismantling Commission; AAP Responds

Former DCW chief Swati Maliwal has accused the Delhi government of systematically dismantling the women's panel since her resignation. She wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) staff have not been paid for six months, and the panel's budget has been cut by 28.5%. Additionally, she claimed that the 181 helpline has been withdrawn and vacant posts remain unfilled.

Maliwal's letter followed an announcement by Delhi Women and Child Development Minister Kailash Gahlot. He stated that the 181 women helpline would now be managed by his department and would be inoperative for a few days during the transition. Gahlot mentioned that the central government plans to mandate that the women's helpline be run by state Women and Child Development Departments rather than the DCW.

Accusations Against Government Actions

In her letter, Maliwal expressed deep regret over what she described as the systematic destruction of systems she had built since 2015. "I am writing this letter to bring attention to how the Delhi government has been systematically dismantling the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) since my resignation from the position of chairperson in January 2024," she said. She highlighted that during her tenure, the commission handled over 1.7 lakh complaints and received more than 41 lakh calls on the 181 Women Helpline.

Maliwal also alleged that no consultation was held with the commission regarding the decision to transfer operational responsibility for the helpline. She argued that since the DCW operates under the aegis of the Women and Child Development Department, there was no need to take over the helpline from the commission. She claimed this decision was made without evaluating its repercussions.

Financial Strain on DCW

According to Maliwal, since her resignation, there has been a halt in funds, severely disrupting DCW's operations. She noted that this financial year, the commission's budget was unexpectedly reduced by Rs 10 crore, amounting to a 28.5% cut without prior consultation or warning. "The sudden and substantial budget reduction inflicted upon the commission shall adversely impact its operations, leading to the closure of crucial programmes," she added.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responded strongly to Maliwal's accusations. In a statement, AAP said it is extremely regrettable that she remains a puppet of the BJP. The party claimed that in the past, Maliwal had gone to great lengths to malign and defame Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal due to her wrongdoings. "Bibhav Kumar continues to suffer the brunt," AAP stated.

AAP's Counterclaims

AAP also pointed out Maliwal's press conference outside the DCW office on May 2. During this event, she exposed an order dated April 29 from Lieutenant Governor (LG), which arbitrarily removed 223 DCW staff members, including acid attack victims and survivors. AAP highlighted this as a grave injustice by the LG.

Maliwal emphasised that as chief minister of a city infamous as "the rape capital of the world," it is critical to safeguard systems protecting women and girls. She urged Kejriwal to address these issues promptly to ensure continued support for vulnerable women and children in Delhi.

The ongoing dispute between Maliwal and AAP highlights significant challenges within Delhi's governance structures concerning women's safety and welfare services. The resolution of these issues remains crucial for maintaining effective support systems for women in Delhi.