Child Welfare scam in Tripura, 4 CWCs set aside: Tinku in deep trouble
Special Correspondent, Agartala, May-8:
When four more phases of ongoing Parliamentary elections are on the card across the country, a serious scandal involving the appointment of Chairpersons and members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) has come to light in Tripura.
Taking prima facie cognizance of a Writ Petition filed by Smt. Madhumita Bhattacharya, a learned advocate and deprived aspirant for the post of Member-CWC, the Hon’ble Single Bench of Tripura High Court passed an interim Order on May 6, 2024 directing the Chief Secretary of Tripura to constitute a two-member Enquiry Committee to inquire into the alleged illegalities and arbitrariness caused during the selection and appointment of Chairpersons and members of CWCs. Hon’ble High Court has also directed the Chief Secretary to submit the inquiry report within two weeks and listed the matter for next hearing on 24-05-2024.
On receiving such an Order of Tripura High Court, the Additional Secretary of Social Welfare & Social Education (SW&SE) department issued a Memorandum on Tuesday setting aside the Child Welfare Committees of West Tripura, South Tripura, Sepahijala Tripura and Khowai Tripura. The memorandum says “Fresh notification will be issued in due course. Till the time fresh reconstitution of Child Welfare Committees of West Tripura, Sepahijala and South Tripura are made, charges shall remain with the Child Welfare Committee of Gomati Tripura and that of Khowai district with the CWC of Dhalai district.”
The interim Order of Tripura High Court and issuance of SW&SE memorandum setting aside four CWCs have brought respite for competent aspirants who were illegally deprived because of unwarranted political interference during the selection of Chairpersons and members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in March this year. A few of the deprived aspirants have demanded immediate resignation of SW&SE Minister Tinku Roy.
Reliable sources of SW&SE Directorate today alleged that the Selection Committee, headed by Justice (Retd.) Mr. Satyagopal Chatterjee, was fair enough to prepare an appropriate panel of eligible aspirants based on their education, experience and merit but the Minister revised the panel as per his whims on political pressure. Many incompetent BJP Karyakartas were given a berth in CWCs whose only quality was the recommendation of influential BJP MLAs and top leaders. The deprived candidates had apprehended that Hon’ble Tripura High Court would interfere if a petition was filed.
Smt. Madhumita Bhattacharya, the Petitioner of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 290/2024, had applied for the post of Member of Child Welfare Committee for Sepahijala district. In the interview assessment, she secured 28.4 out of 50 marks but didn’t get berth in CWC whereas another aspirant got the berth securing 28.2 marks. Aggrieved Mrs. Bhattacharya then moved to Tripura High Court.
About Author
More Stories
नहीं रहे पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह:
यूपी में महिलाएं पूरी तरह सुरक्षित नहीं: राज्यपाल आनंदीबेन पटेल
अतिक्रमण हटाने के साथ-साथ पुलिस दर्ज दर्ज करेगी मुकदमा: चिलबिला से जोगापुर तक चलेगा अतिक्रमण विरोधी अभियान