Rajasthan State Women's Commission

Rajasthan State Women’s Commission is an important topic under Rajasthan Polity that focuses on safeguarding and promoting the rights of women in the state. It explains the structure, functions, and role of the Commission in addressing grievances and ensuring gender justice. Understanding this topic helps in analyzing women’s empowerment, legal protection, and social welfare measures in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Women’s Commission: Powers and Responsibilities

An international treaty, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women), was signed in 1979 to ensure women’s empowerment.
India signed the treaty with some amendments on July 9, 1993, and in line with international efforts for women’s empowerment, a National Policy for Women was announced in 1996. Subsequently, the National Commission for Women and State Commissions for Women were established.

Rajasthan Women’s Commission Establishment and legal form

Base : The Rajasthan State Commission for Women Bill, 1999 Introduced: 23 April 1999.
Notification and Formation: 15 May 1999. (Headquarters: Jaipur).
The then Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Anshuman Singh.
Regulations: The ‘Rajasthan State Women Commission Regulations 2007’ were made on 10 August 2007 and published in the Gazette on 17 August 2007.
Nature: It is a statutory and autonomous body.
Basic Objectives: To prevent violence, atrocities and inequality against women and to bring marginalized women into the mainstream.
The Women’s Policy in the state was released on March 8, 2000.

Constitution and composition of the Commission(Section 3)

Formation: The Rajasthan State Women’s Commission has been constituted by the Rajasthan Government under Section 3 and Chapter 2 of the Act.
Structure [Section 3(2)]: The Commission will consist of a total of 5 members:
- 1 Chairman.
- 3 members (appointed by the State Government).
- 1 Member Secretary.
Essentials: Of these four members, it is mandatory for one to be a woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST), and another to be a woman belonging to an Other Backward Class (OBC).
Qualification of Chairman [Section 3(3)]: The Chairperson shall be a woman of eminence, having adequate knowledge, experience in dealing with women’s problems and commitment to their rights.
Qualification of members [Section 3(4)]: Women of high integrity and standing who have adequate knowledge or experience in the protection, promotion and safeguarding of the rights of women.
Secretary of the Commission [Section 3(5) and 3(6)]:
- The Secretary will be appointed by the State Government.
- It will perform the powers and functions delegated to it by the Commission.
- Salary: The Secretary will receive salary and allowances as per the post and cadre from which he has been brought.

Tenure and Service Conditions(Section 4)

Tenure of Office: The tenure of the Chairman and each member shall be 3 years.
Resignation: The Chairperson or a Member may, by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government, resign his office at any time.
Casual Vacancy [Section 4(3)]: A new person appointed to a vacancy caused by removal or resignation shall hold office only for the remainder of the term.
Salary and allowances [Section 4(4)]: The remuneration prescribed by the State Government will be payable. No adverse changes will be made in the service conditions after appointment.

Meetings and functioning of the Commission(Sections 5, 6, 7)

Quorum (Section 5): Attendance of minimum 3 members including the Chairman is mandatory for the meeting.
Presidency (Article 6): The meeting shall be presided over by the Chairman. In his absence, a member elected by the members present shall preside.
- Decision Process: All decisions shall be taken by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairman (or the member presiding) shall have a casting vote.
- Expert: Any subject expert called to the meeting will not have the right to vote.
Validity (Section 7):Decisions taken during the vacancy of any post in the Commission will not be considered invalid.

Removal from office(Section 8)

The State Government may, by order, remove the Chairperson or a Member in the following circumstances:
1. On bankruptcy.
2. On being convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude or criminal activity.
3. In case of having an unsound mind.
4. Refusing or being unable to perform the task.
5. Absence from 3 consecutive meetings without permission.
6. Financial abuse of position (in the opinion of the Government).
  - Note: Before removal, the concerned member must be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Reports, consultations and regulations(Sections 14, 15, 16, 21, 22)

Report (Section 14): The Commission will submit annual and special reports to the State Government, which will cause these reports, along with reasons, to be laid before the State Legislature.
Place of meeting (Section 15): The main place will be Jaipur, but the meeting for investigation can be held anywhere in the state.
- Details of the meetings:
  - General Meeting: Normally at least once in 2 months.
  - Special Meeting: May be called by the Chairman himself or on the written request of at least 3 members for a special matter.
Consultation (Article 16): The State Government will consult the Commission on major policy matters relating to women.
Exception (Section 21): This Act will not apply to the Central Government, Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or institutions controlled by the Central Government.
Power to make rules (Section 22): The State Government has the power to make rules.

Powers of the Commission(Section 10)

The Commission has the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908:

Issuing summons to witnesses and ensuring their attendance.
Ordering the discovery and production of any document.
Receiving evidence on affidavits.
Obtaining any record or copy thereof from a public office.
Judicial proceedings: Every proceeding before the Commission shall be deemed to be a ‘judicial proceeding’ under sections 193 and 228 of the IPC.
Dispatch to Magistrate: If the offence (like Section 175, 178 etc.) is committed in the presence of the commissioner, he can forward the case to the concerned Magistrate.

Functions of the Commission(Sections 11 and 12)

Functions of the Commission (Section 11): To protect the rights and promote the interests of women.
Investigation of improper conduct (Section 12): The Commission may conduct an inquiry on the following grounds:
- On the basis of a written complaint by the aggrieved woman.
- On the basis of a complaint by a registered women’s organization.
- On its own knowledge or information (suo motu).
- At the request of the government.
- On the basis of a complaint by any person possessing personal knowledge of the inappropriate conduct.
Action on the recommendation:On the recommendation of the Commission, the State Government will have to inform the Commission about the action taken within 3 months.
Legal Review: To review existing laws and recommend amendments to the Government to make them effective.
Preventing Discrimination: To prevent discrimination against women in state public services and public enterprises.
Consultant: To advise the Government of Rajasthan on policy matters affecting women.
Supervision: Monitoring the functioning of women’s reform homes, girls’ hostels and hospitals.
Right to Prosecution: After Kerala, Rajasthan is the second state which has the right to prosecute.

Support Services and Cells

Gender Cell: Organising seminars and workshops for youth for gender sensitisation.
Grievance Cell: Quick action on WhatsApp, email, portal or verbal complaints.
Helpline (181): The 24×7 helpline, launched on August 6, 2012, is now integrated with the ‘Chief Minister Helpline 181’.
Public hearing: Organising camps at regular intervals in all 33 districts of the state.
Rehabilitation: Dignified rehabilitation programme for destitute women to make them self-reliant.

District and local level committees

District Women’s Aid Committee (since 1997): Working in all 33 districts.
- Chairman: District Head.
- Vice-Chairman: District Collector.
Women’s desk: Established in all police stations of Rajasthan for redressal of complaints.
Women’s Counselling and Safety Centre (MSSK): 39 centres are being run by NGOs to help women victims.

Seven Point Programme (Women Empowerment – 2009)

7 Key Points for Economic and Social Empowerment of Women:

Safe motherhood.
Reduction in infant mortality rate.
Population stabilization.
Prevention of child marriage.
Retaining girls in school at least till 10th grade.
To ensure a safe environment for women.
Self-employment through Self Help Groups (SHGs).

Monitoring Committee:It is chaired by the Chief Minister.

Current structure and important facts

Structure: 1 Chairman + Maximum 4 Members (Representation of SC/ST and OBC category is mandatory).
Tenure: 3 years. (After resignation, new appointment is for the remaining term).
First member:Mrs. Nagendra Bala.
Women who have served twice:Sunita Satyarthi and Damayanti Bakolia.
Current office bearers:
- Chairman:Mrs. Rehana Riaz Chishti.
- Member:
  - Mrs. Suman Yadav
  - Mrs. Anjana Meghwal
  - Mrs. Sumitra Jain.
- Secretary:Shri Virendra Singh.
  - First Secretary: Rashmi Priyadarshini

List of Chairpersons of Rajasthan State Women’s Commission

S.No.	Name	Special information
1	Smt. Kanta Khaturia	First President
2	Prof. Pawan Surana	Former Member of RPSC
3	Smt. Tara Bhandari	Former Deputy Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
4	Mrs. Meera Maharshi (IAS)	acting president
5	Dr. Sarita Singh	acting president
6	Prof. Lad Kumari Jain	–
7	Mrs. Suman Sharma	–
8	Mrs. Rehana Riaz Chishti	Current President (since 11.02.2022)

Important legal rights for women empowerment

In a criminal case, a woman can be searched only by a female police officer.
The medical examination of the woman will be done only by a female doctor.
It is mandatory to write mother’s name along with father’s name in birth and school certificate.
A woman has full right to adopt a child.
Reservation: 30% of seats in state government jobs and 50% of seats in Panchayati Raj institutions are reserved for women.