KSWC chief wants law amended to get term extension

Karnataka State Women Commission (KSWC) Chairperson Manjula C has been making attempts to get an extension to her tenure by demanding an amendment to the Karnataka State Commission for Women Act, 1995.

Manjula was appointed Chairperson of the Commission on January 7, 2011 and, her appointment is coterminus with the tenure of the BJP Government. With just a couple of months left for the BJP government to complete its term, Manjula’s days too are numbered at the Commission.

In the last couple of months, through repeated letters to both the Women and Child Development department and Law department, Manjula seeks an amendment to Section (4) of the Act to ensure that the chairperson and the members of the Commission (all political appointees) “complete a period of three years.”

According to the existing clause, “the term of office and condition of services of the chairperson and members is subject to the pleasure of the government. They will hold office not exceeding a period of three years as may be specified by the government.”

In a letter dated October 26, Manjula wrote to Women and Child Development Minister Kalakappa Bandi requesting him to get the Cabinet approval for “deletion” of the words: “Subject to the pleasure of the government, for such period not exceeding, as maybe specified by the government,” and retention of, “The chairperson and members shall hold office for three years”.

Manjula, however, approached Bandi only after getting a seal of approval for her letter from the chief minister’s office, a move, which is said to have irked the minister.

Sources said that Bandi is in no mood to clear Manjula’s request, and that two days ago he wrote back to the chief minister’s office stating that the “Act need not be amended.”
Commission and the department claim that actual reason for Bandi’s contention with Manjula was the “recurring complaints” he has been receiving against her.

Sources said that Manjula “rarely visited” the Commission office and, she allegedly harassed the staff. KAS officer Sathyabhama, who was posted as the member secretary of the Commission, took a transfer as she was allegedly harassed by the chairperson. Manjula could not be reached for comment, sources said.