The process of appointing a Chairperson for the State Commission for Women was under way and it would be completed soon, the State government informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday.
In a counter affidavit filed before the court, the State government said that applications had been received for the post and the process of appointment was under way. In a public interest litigation petition, B. Karthee of Madurai said that the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women was functioning without a Chairperson for more than a year after Visalakshi Nedunchezhian completed her three-year term in January 2016.
The main objective of the SCW was to protect and promote the rights of women in the State and its duty was to look into providing safeguards. The Commission also had to send reports and recommendations to the government on the measures to safeguard women. It had to review the existing laws, look into complaints and evaluate the progress of development of women.
In the wake of rising crimes against women, a State body functioning without a Chairperson made it difficult to carry out these functions and duties, the petitioner said.
A division bench of Justices K. K. Sasidharan and G. R. Swaminathan posted the petition for September 13 for further hearing.