1st Annual Report

ASSAM STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN An Overview

This is the first Annual Report on the activities of the State Commission for Women for the year 1994-95. In presenting this Annual Report, we are keeping in view, the various decisions, recommendations and advices put forward by the Members of the Commission in its sittings during the past one year. The effort is to convey to the State and its citizens, as much as possible, information regarding the functioning of this Commission and its development.

The salient and significant features of the first year can be reported to the commencement of the sustained and concerted efforts in generating public awareness, regarding the constitutional rights aiming at all round development of the women in order to make them self-reliant in their day to day life.

It has been the earnest endeavour of the Commission to generate an awareness at the grass-root level for effective implementation of measures intended to benefit the rural as well as Urban Women. The concern of the Commission will be the study of important issues relating to Women. The Commission also had an opportunity to discuss burning and sensitive issues of crucial importance for deliberations in emergent meetings and seminar.

The Commission during the past one year under report could not materialise many of its ideas and thoughts due o financial constraints. If the financial stringency continues, the Commission afraid, the purpose for which the Commission was constituted would be 2 defeated. However, the Commission is hopeful that all the hurdles specially the financial one will be overcome shortly and the commission will be in its stead to achieve it goal.

The Commission is grateful to all its Members for their active co-operation and advice from time to time. We are also thankful to the National Commission for Women and the Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam and the other agencies of the State Govt. and the Voluntary Welfare Organisations who have extended support and assistance in our endeavour to serve the cause of Women.

The Assam State Commission for Women

A Profile

It was in response to the demands of Women, Women’s Organisation and Social Workers that Parliament passed the National Commission for Women Act in August, 1990. Accordingly on 31st January, 1992, the National Commission for Women was set up. Thereafter, the Assam Government also promulgated an Ordinance for constitution of the State Commission on 24th November, 1993 on the occasion of Women’s Day during the “Quami Ekta” Week. Finally on 25th January, 1994 the State Government passed the Act in the State Legislative Assembly and the State Government constituted a nine member Committee for a period of three years. A copy of the Government Notification constituting the Assam State Commission for Women is at Annexure-“A”.

Functions of the Commission

1. The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely :-

(a) investigate and examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for Women under the Constitution and other laws ; 3

(b) present to the State Government, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards ;

(c) make in such reports recommendations for the effective implementation of those safeguards for improving the conditions of Women by the State ;

(d) review, from time to time, the existing provisions of the Constitution and other law affecting Women and recommend amendments thereto so as to suggest remedial legislative measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies or shortcomings in such legislations ;

(e) take up the cause of violation of the provisions of the constitution and of other law relating to Women with the appropriate authorities ;

(f) look into complaints and take suo -moto notice of matter relating to :-

(i) deprivation of Women’s Rights :

(ii) non-implementation of laws, enacted to provide protection to Women and also to achieve the objective of equality and development :

(iii) non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions, aimed at mitigating hardships and ensuring welfare and providing relief to women and take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities. 4

(g) call for special studies or investigation into specific problems or situation arising our of discrimination and the atrocities against Women and identify the constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal ;

(h) undertake promotional and educational research so as to suggest ways of ensuring due representation of Women in all spheres and identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement, such, as lack of access to housing and basic service, inadequate support services and technologies for reducing drudgery and occupational health hazards and for increasing their productivity ;

(i) participate and advice on the planning process of socio-economic development of women :

(j) evaluate the progress of the development of women under the state ;

(k) inspect or cause to the inspected a jail remand home, Women’s institution or other place or custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise, and take up with the concerned authorities for remedial action, if found necessary.

(l) fund litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women ;

(m) make periodical reports to the Government or any matter pertaining to women and in particular various difficulties under which women toil :

(n) any other matter which may be referred to is by State Government.

2. The State Government shall cause all the reports referred to in clause (b) of Sub- Section (1) to be laid before the State Legislative along with a memorandum explaining 5 the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations relating to the state and the reasons for the non –acceptance of any, of such recommendations.

3. The Commission shall, while investigating any manner referred to in sub-section (i) or clause (f) of sub-section (i) have all the powers of the Civil Court trying a suit and, in particular in respect of the following matters, namely :-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of Assam and examining him on oath : (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document ; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits ; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any Court of office. (e) issuing Commission for the examination of witnesses and documents ; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed.

Activities of the Commission

During the past, one years, the Assam State Commission for Women had together nine sittings and in these sittings the Commission examined all matters relating to safeguards provided to Women in the constitution and other laws. The various decisions and recommendations approved in the several sittings of the Commission have been forwarded to the State Government for effective and immediate implementation. Apart from these sittings several emergent meeting had also been held to discuss urgent and burning issues relating to crimes against Women. A seminar was also held in collaboration with the department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam, with active participation by the Non-Government Organisation and distinguished ladies.

The Commission feels that a general awareness campaign amongst the rural women is most essential for mobilizing the women –folk. Therefore, the Commission has 6 embarked upon a venture by co-ordinating with all the various developmental Departments of the State Govt. for effective implementation of their programmes so as to be benefit the women-folks at the grass –root level and below the poverty line.

In order to apprise the women –folk about their fundamental and constitutional rights enshrined in the Constitution and about the laws and acts safeguarding women’s right, the Commission organized several district level meeting. The Commission has already visited Morigaon, Nagaon, Goalpara, Nalbari, Barpeta, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Cachar, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Tinsukia, Sibsagar and Jorhat. In these meetings great emphasis was laid on generating awareness amongst the women –folk about their fundamental rights and to derive maximum of benefit from the various schemes offered by the development departments of the State Government. In these meetings the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police besides Project Directors DRDA and other officials have taken an active part.

The Commission during the past one year also observed the Women’s Day coinciding with the Quami Ekta Week on 24th November 94 and the International Women’s Day on 8th March’94 & 95 in a befitting manner.

Sub-Committees of the Assam State Commission for Women

The Commission has wide ranging powers covering the entire gamut of Women’s issues and concerns. The Commission, therefore, felt, that separate Sub-Committees to assist the Commission to deal with specific issues and aspects of Women’s problems is necessary. Therefore, two important Sub-Committees, namely Committee for Socio- Economic Development of Women and Legal Advisory Committee have been constituted. The office order of these two committees are at Annexure “B” and “C” 7

On 4-4-94 the Assam State Commission for Women in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam organized a seminar in the Conference Hall of the Circuit House in which most of the N.G.O’s and distinguished ladies of greater Guwahati participated. The topics taken up in the Seminar were :-

(i) Socio –Economic Development Programme for Rural Women.

(ii) Rehabilitation of destitute women in the State Homes for Women in Assam.

(iii) The importance of Pre-Primary Education in remote Rural Areas of Assam and the extension of the Audit Education Programme for the Rural Women living below the poverty line.

The paper on the topic Socio-Economic Development Programme for Rural Women was presented by the then Director of Social Welfare Assam, Shri G. Chakraborty, A.C.S., who gave a detailed account of the population pattern in Assam, literacy rate, work participation rate of male and female workers in both public as well as the private sectors. He also suggest that steps should be taken to raise the level of education amongst women in the State and training should be imparted to the women folk specially in the rural areas. Emphasis should be given to generate awareness amongst the rural women folk in the remote areas on the Jawahar Rojgar Yojana Scheme. In order to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the women folk scholarships should be given as to enable the women to take up necessary training. As there is a demand for Traditional Arts and Crafts in foreign Countries, emphasis should be given to maintain the tradition and to popularize the products in and outside . Other schemes related to Agriculture, Veterinary, Sericulture and setting up of small scale industries etc. should be encouraged in the rural areas of Assam and the Non-Government Organisations be urged to participate in the programme. 8

A paper was presented by Shri Kanak Sharma, A.C.S., Inspector General of Prisons, Assam about the rehabilitation of female inmates in jail. He gave a clear picture of the women in jails and the nature of crimes committed by such women. Discussion were held at length on this topic and various suggestions were put forward to the Commission for the improvement of the women living in the Jails. Shri Sharma suggested for the establishment of a Nari Niketan for the distressed women.

The next topic of the Seminar was Importance of Pre-Primary Education in the remote rural areas of Assam and extension of Adult Education Programme for the rural women living below the poverty line. A paper on this was presented by Smt. Tilottoma Baruah. Director of Secondary Education, Assam. She suggested that teachers should be well trained so as to impart education to the children at the primary level. At present one Pre-Primary teachers training school is running at Dibrugarh and Guwahati for imparting training to the teachers. Smt. Baruah also threw light on the role of “Operation Blackboard” and how it can help to increase the percentage of education. Dr. Deepali Dutta participated and highlighted the different problem of the Non Criminal lunatics in jails and suggested several important measures for improvement of jails in Assam. Several renowned NGOs also participated in the discussion.

The State Commission put forward the following suggestions with regard to the pre-primary education.

1. The State Commission felt that in those rural areas where there is no facilities for Pre-Primary Education and in those areas where there are no Integrated Child Development Services Schemes, the Pre-Primary Education to the rural children should be made compulsory. 9

2. Literacy campaign can be launched by the various renowned N.G.Os to create an awareness amongst the rural women who are below the poverty line, so that the literacy rate amongst the girl children increases.

3. The State Commission also suggested that all Girl’s School in the rural areas should be provincialised without any further delay.

4. Comprehensive measures should be taken by the State Government for adult education amongst the rural women who are below the poverty line.

On 5-4-94, the members of the State Commission along with the Director of Social Welfare, Assam visited the State Home for Destitute Women at Jalukbari and put forward a suggestion that the destitute women could be rehabilitated by imparting training to them as Ayahs and Midwives. Those who are matriculate, the Government could absorb them either in the police force, nursing or in any other departments of the Government. Thereafter, on 6-4-94 the members of the State Commission also visited the “Vagrants” Home at Fatasil Ambari, Guwahati.

On 21st April, 1994 the members of the Women’s Commission visited the SOS village at Azara and suggested to the concerned authorities to admit destitute children from the various Homes under the Government as well as the Homes run by the N.G.Os.

The State Commission has decided to hold Seminars in all the Districts, Sub- Divisions and Blocks with the help and co-operation of the N.G.Os and the concerned departments for the welfare and upliftment of the rural women.

The State Commission has decided to make a survey of women employees in the various Government establishments and also the women beneficiaries under various schemes implemented by the Government departments. The office of the State 10

Commission has in this connection clearly taken steps for collecting the data from the various Government departments in the State and after final receipt of the reports necessary steps in this regard will be initiated.

The National Commission for Women held a Convention of the Seven States of the North East Region at Guwahati on 29th and 30th April 94. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Smt. Jayanti Patnaik and the Members of the National Commission for Women, Smt. Bonoj Senapati and Smt. Padma Seth, besides Sri P.N. Bhagawati former Chief Justice of India participated in the Convention. The Chief Minister, Assam Shri Hiteswar Saikia addressed the inaugural session on 29th April ’94. Shri Kul Bahadur Chetri, Minister, Social Welfare, Assam Shri D. Natung, Minister Social Welfare, Arunachal Pradesh also addressed the gathering.

In the working session the following topics were discussed. (i) Crime against women and Custodial Justice. (ii) Role of women in Panchayati Raj (iii) Gender Justice –Women in Agriculture, Plantations, Labour, Employment and Training. (iv) Role of Non-Government Organisations.

The Working Sessions were addressed by Shri Shamsul Huda, Minister, Social Forestry etc. and Shri Dileswar Tanti, Minister, Labour. In this session papers were presented by Justice (Mrs.) Meera Sharma, Dr. (Mrs.) Hema Prova Saikia, President, Panchayat and Nagar Palika, Chairperson Assam State Commission for Women Smt. Mridula Saharia and Chairperson, Assam State Social Welfare Advisory Board, Smt. Shanta Agarwal, besides officials and Members of Advisory Boards and N.G.Os. of the States of Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura Smt. Nirmala Despande President Harijan Sevak Sangh also spoke eloquently on the role of women in the present day society. 11

On 18-5-94 the Commission visited the SOS village of India at Bhakatpara near Mangaldoi and was happy to see the cordial atmosphere in the village.

In the afternoon a meeting with the N.G.Os. and few departmental officers was held in the Cultural House. The Chairperson presided over the meeting and explained the aims and objective of the State Commission for Women and sought co-operation and help from the Non-Government Organisation and officials present.

The Members of the Assam State Commission for Women also visited the State Home for Destitute Women and Orphanage for Destitute Children at Nagaon on 20-4-94. The Commission observed that a portion of the building has been damaged by the storm. The Home is located in a large compound in the heart of the town. The Assam type buildings within the compound appeared to be very old and was in a dilapidated condition and may collapse at any time. The buildings in the compound required immediate renovation and repairing.

As on 18-5-94 the total number of inmates in the State Home were shown below :-

1. State Home for Women 89 2. Children’s Home 62 3. Neglected Juveniles 16

The purpose of these visits and district level meetings was to generate awareness amongst the women folk, especially those in the rural areas and those who are at the grass-root level. There are 2,486 Gaon Panchayats in the State of Assam and there is one Multipurpose Women’s Co-operative Society in each Gaon-Panchayat. It is the earnest endeavour of the Commission to apprise Members of the Multipurpose Women Co- operative about the various schemes of the development departments like Social Welfare, 12

Veterinary, Industry, Panchayat & Rural Development, Handloom and Textiles, Sericulture Fishery, Agriculture, Adult Education etc. The members of the Societies and the Non-Government Organisations should be well trained in every field for generating awareness amongst the rural women in particular. There is need for close co-ordination amongst the various departments of the State Government and efforts should be made for effective implementation of these women welfare- oriented schemes through the aegis of the Multipurpose Women’s Co-operative Societies, Gaon Panchayats and the Non- Governmental Organisation of the State.

The rural women are mostly illiterate. Therefore adult education of the rural women should be given top-most priority by the Education Department which can mobilise the Multipurpose Women’s Co-operative Societies and Gaon Panchayats and the N.G.Os by imparting training and organizing adult-education programme. This will go a long way in education and involving the women in the developmental schemes and programmes of the various departments.

The Commission feels that the education of girls children is of paramount importance for all round development of women. The Commission has in its various sittings recommended the following measures :-

(i) The Pre-Primary education to the rural girl children should be made compulsory. (ii) Literacy campaign should be launched by the State Government through the help of renowned N.G.Os to raise the rate of literacy. (iii) Drastic measures should be taken by the Education Department to reduce the ratio of illiteracy amongst the girl students. (iv) All girl schools in the rural areas should be provincialised without any further delay. 13

(v) Comprehensive measures should be taken for adult education amongst the rural women who are below poverty line. (vi) Literacy Campaign Mission (wherever it has started) should be accorded high priority. (vii) All Girl’s High School should be up-graded to Higher Secondary Schools. (viii) All Girl’s Schools should be inspected regularly and such inspections should be made compulsory by the competent authority.

Today, the rural women are faced with severe financial hardships due to their poverty and their poverty is aggravated by the fact that, most of the welfare schemes sponsored by the various departments do not reach them due to their ignorance or due to their lack of awareness for such programmes. Therefore, the Commission in its district- level meetings has emphasized on co-ordination and liaisoning by the various governments departments with the implementing agencies for the welfare of the downtrodden. The Commission in its several district –level meetings made an appeal to the women –folk to derive maximum of benefit from the welfare schemes meant for women, offered by the government departments.

The Commission, after visiting several State Homes and Destitute Homes for Women and Children and S.O.S. villages has put forward the following suggestion to the Government for its effective implementation.

1. The inmates of the State Homes should be rehabilitated gradually by absorbing them in suitable government jobs like teachers in Primary School lady police constables and nurses in government Hospitals. The non-matriculates could be sent for vocational training in various courses of Ayah, Mid-wife etc. and can be absorbed as Anganwadi Workers and Helpers under the Social Welfare Department. 14

2. The Vocational Training Centres in the State Homes have been facing financial hardships due to non-availability of banking facilities . Therefore, steps for operation of a Personal Ledger Account in each State Home will not only provide flow of fund through sale proceeds but will also give incentive to the inmates who are engaged in the production of handloom, tailoring, embroidery, dress-making, doll-making etc. Inmates who are enterprising workers should be allowed to operate their individual accounts in any bank to encourage savings for their future economic security.

3. There should be separate accommodation for the following categories of inmates :-

(a) Destitute Women (b) Socially-handicapped destitute women (c) Mentally Retarded women

4. Few destitute children in various Homes under the Department of Social Welfare could be transferred and accommodated in S.O.S. Children’s Villages in Assam.

5. The various Developments Departments can organize training in their respective departments by training the members of the Multipurpose Women’s Co-operative Societies Women President/Secretaries of the Gaon Panchayats and the Presidents/Secretaries of the Non-Governmental Organisation doing welfare amongst women.

6. The various departments should reserve at least 30% to 40% fund for women beneficiaries under the poverty – alleviation programmes of the rural development sectors, so as to benefit the rural poor women. 15

7. That the Government should liberalise the plan and programmes in respect of those schemes, which directly benefits the women so that women can readily avail the benefits sponsored by the various government departments.

8. Publicity with regard to the Govt. sponsored poverty –alleviation programme is very poor. Hence pamphlets, leaflets, pictorials in local languages besides video screening of documentaries etc. should be undertaken in a massive scale to mobilize the women folk in the rural areas to derive benefits from the various schemes.

9. The Commission feels that in all Committee, Commissions and Boards under the State Government, there should be women members. It may be pointed out that there is no Women Member in the Assam Public Service Commission, Planning Board etc.

10. The Commission has decided to request all the Deputy Commissioners to allow the Members of the Assam State Commission for Women to attend meetings of the Sub-Divisional Planning & Development Council and Governing Body of DRDA. In this connection the Commission has taken up the matter with the Planning & Development Department, Govt. of Assam.

The State Govt. had announced that a All Women’s Bank would be established. The Commission feels that all efforts should be made to revive the proposal and established the All Women’s Bank immediately.

The State Commission for Women felt it necessary that a Legal Advisory Committee should be set up for furthering the aims and objectives envisaged under the Act and as such in accordance with the powers conferred under Section 8(1) of the Act, constituted a Legal Advisory Committee. The Committee consisting of 7 members has 16 been functioning from 6th August, 1994 by holding its first meeting at the office of the Assam State Commission for Women and it has the Hon’ble Ex-Chief Justice, Guwahati High Court, Shri Dambarudhar Pathak, as it Adviser and Smt. Hema Bharali as its Chairperson.

The purpose of function of the Committee is to have a common platform towards attaining a concrete solution to the long standing problem confronted by women in our society, more particularly the issues relating to the legal aspect and to suggest ways and means for effective implementation of the law relating to women and plug the loopholes. The Committee is also to take necessary steps for generating an awareness amongst the women regarding their fundamental rights and privileges enshrined in the Constitution thereby helping all women to cope with various type of problem like crime against women such as dowry death/rape cases/female infanticide/divorce cases etc. At present the Commission has received 32 number of complaints and the matter is under process.

The Assam State Commission for Women visited several Jails at Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Nagaon, Barpeta, Silachar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Sibsagar.

After visiting several Jails, the Commission is of the opinion that the Jail premises should be improved and renovated immediately, whenever necessary. Few Jail have been found to be over-crowded and congested, as found at Mangaldoi. The tube well was not functioning properly and as a result there was disruption in the supply of water, which affected the huge number of inmates in the Jail. The Jail premises should contain the minimum facilities for toilet and other civic amenities. The Commission feels that Jails should always be located in a spacious and in the outskirts of the city, so as to avoid over crowding. The inmates should be involved in vocational training and other recreational facilities should be provided. 17

There were several women inmates against whom no major charges were pending. These cases were destitute who were missing and lodged in Jail because of non- availability of proper and permanent addresses. Such women inmates should be rehabilitated immediately and steps should be taken by the State Govt. in the Social Welfare Department and other Non-Government Organisations. Few cases of women- inmates who has already served 14 years term in Jail custody should be released immediately. The Commission had suggested for the establishment of more All Women Jails like the one named Nari Niketan at Barpeta.

Among the recommendation made by the Legal Advisory Committee, the followings are highlighted.

(1) In view of the rising trend of the living costs, it has been decided that section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code should be amended and the maintenance grant of Rs. 500/- p.m. to the party should be raised to at least Rs. 1000/- p.m.

(2) Legal Aid Cells should be set up immediately in the districts of Cachar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Dhubri to be followed in all other districts gradually.

(3) All Women’s Police Stations are also to be established in all district head – quarters.

(4) Immediate recruitment of at least 50 lady Sub-Inspectors of Police and Lady Constables should be made.

(5) The Women’s Police Station at Panbazar, Guwahati should be properly manned with adequate staff. 18

(6) The Committee also felt the necessity of amending the Section on rape in the Indian Penal Code specifically on the point that rape cases should be referred only to Lady Doctors and such cases should be tried by the Lady Magistrates and investigated by the Lady Police officials. Moreover, in rape cases the statutory period for remand should be extended to six months and the rule of granting bail restricted.

(7) The Commission suggested that the matter regarding appointment of Lady Principal Judge and Lady Councellor of the Family Court at Guwahati should be immediately taken up with the Govt. as well as the Registrar, High Court.

(8) The women convicts released by the District Jails etc. should be transferred to the Short Stay Homes run by the non-governmental organizations and State Home for Women under the Social Welfare Department Govt. of Assam.

On 15th of September’94 the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Women and Child Development) organized a Regional Meeting of the North East India Calcutta, to discuss on the draft Country –paper prepared for the 4th World Conference on Women to the held at Beijing . China in 1995. The summary record of the recommendations and views, expressed by the participants during the Business Session, had been prepared.

The Chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Women Smt. Mridulla Saharia also attended the function and read out her points in the Regional Meeting. These points were incorporated in the draft country paper. The two points are given below :-

(i) There should be reservation of women at all levels in political structures and administration including State Legislature and Parliament. 19

(ii) Positive steps taken by different governments including Assam may be described in the paper. These includes setting up of all Women police station, Mahila Courts and sensitization of law enforcement machinery.

The Commission feels and purposes that the Members of the Commission should be given an opportunity to attend the World Conference on Women to be held at Beijing in China sometime in September, 1995 for exposure of the Commission – Members to a global meet and to enable them to gain confidence in their efforts for focusing the progress and development of women under the State Govt. of Assam thereby to convey the good efforts made by the Commission to the World conference to be held at Beijing.

In order to discuss sensitive issues relating to violence against women committed in several parts of the State of Assam State Commission for Women convened an emergent meeting on 22-10-94 at Guwahati. All leading Women Organisations such as Presidents/Secretaries of Assam Surakha Samity, Brihattar Guwahati Umaihatia Sachetan Mahila Mancha, Indian Council of Child Welfare, Kasturba Gandhi Ashram Trust, Association for Social Health in India, Women’s Studies Research Centre, Eastern India Women’s Association, Indian Council of Social Welfare, Women’s study Forum. St. Mary’s School, Mon Vikash Kendra and distinguished ladies from greater Guwahati participated in the discussion.

Some of the following resolutions were adopted in the meeting :-

1) All offences relating to women should be summarily tried.

2) Amendments of section 376 of the Indian Penal Code should be made i.e. Statutory period for remand should be extended to six months.

3) The rule of granting bail should be restricted. 20

4) The various Acts relating to women both at the Central and the State Government like the Immoral Traffic in women and girls (Preventive) Act, 1956 should be amended.

5) The Courts should not accept Affidavit for solemnization of Marriages nor consider it as a valid document for marriage.

6) The Commission also suggests to set up all Women Police Stations in all the districts of Assam as the crimes against women is on the rise everywhere. If All Women Police Stations cannot be set up in every district then a full strength of Women Sub-Inspectors, Asstt. Sub-Inspectors and Constables should be attached to the Sadar Police Station of every district. Commission recommends that 50 Sub-Inspectors, 50 Asstt, Sub-Inspectors and an equal strength of Women Constables should be recruited immediately. This contingent should be especially trained to deal with women related cases mostly.

7) Women Social Workers should be well represented in the censor Board in the publicity media.

8) The State Government should take immediate necessary steps to introduce trainings in self-defence in all Girls Schools.

On 24th of November, 1994 as part of the celebration for Women’s Day, the Assam State Commission for Women held a Workshop at Mirza in collaboration with the office of the Registrar of Co-operatives and Directorate of Adult Education. Eleven number of Multipurpose Women Co-operative participated and were imparted training in adult-education and co-operative movement, so that they may be in a position to activise at the lowest strata of society. 21

We are happy to inform that Assam is the first to hold the Panchayat Election where 30% of seats has been reserved for women before the 73rd amendment of the Panchayati Raj Act was passed in the Parliament. And accordingly in the last Panchayat Election in Assam 30% of women have been already elected. But there is no reservation of seats for women in the District Council of Assam till date. The Commission therefore strongly feels that, women belonging to the Hill Tribes of the two Hills Districts of Assam who are deprived of their proper reservation in the administrative matters and in the decision making of the District Councils should have the opportunity to exercise their basic rights to get the adequate justice as envisaged in the constitution under the Sixth Schedule. The Commission recommends minimum 30% reservation for women in the two Hills District Councils, as already done in case of Gaon Panchayat in the rest of Assam. The Commission also feels that 30% seats should also be reserved in the Bodoland Autonomous Council.

The Commission strongly feels that similarly such 30% reservation of seats for women should be made in the Assam Legislative Assembly and Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) also. This will provide better forum for women to ventilate their grievances and draw the attention of power that be.

On 8th March, 95 the International Women’s Day was observed in a glittering function in the Rabindra Bhawan jointly by Assam State Commission for Women and Assam State Social Welfare Advisory Board in collaboration with the N.G.Os of greater Guwahati. His Excellancy, the Hon’ble Governor of Assam inaugurated the function and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam was the chief guest. Smt. Mridula Saharia, Chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Women presided over the meeting and Dr. (Mrs.) Hema Prova Saikia, President, Panchayat and Nagar Palika inaugurated the exhibition and spoke on the occasion. Smt. Shanta Agarwal Chairperson Assam State Social Welfare Advisory Board offered the vote of thanks. The unexpected huge 22 gathering on the occasion and the participation by the leading women’s organization from Guwahati and other neighbouring development blocks of the districts, besides the large number of school children from various girls institutions made the function very lively and impressive. That also reflected and gave an impression that the women by and large have become conscious of the rights and previliges and their desire to materialize the same as enshrined in the constitution. In her Presidential address, the Chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Women Smt. Mridula Saharia put forward unanimous decision of a meeting held earlier in the office of the Commission and where prominent members of the non-governmental organizations attended. Smt. Saharia strongly appealed to the State Govt. to observe the 16th of March the birth and death anniversary of Late Chandra Prova Saikiani founder President of Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samity, a renowned freedom fighter and a social workers as the MAHILA BIKAS DIVAS. Smt. Saikiani’s life long struggle for the emancipation and freedom of women is well-known throughout the State of Assam.

The Chairperson of Assam the State Commission for Women also strongly pleaded for installation of a Statute of Late Chandra Prova Saikiani in any prominent Park of the city of Guwahati and also requested the State Govt. to publish the unpublished literacy works of Late Chandra Prova Saikiani.

Smt. Saharia made a fervent request to the State Govt. to observe the 30th December, the death anniversary of Late Amol Prova Das as “NARI MARJYADA DIVAS”. Late Amol Prova Das sacrificed her life for the people of Assam in general and women in particular. She was a dedicated and a noted Gandhian who led a simple life.

The suggestion put forward were highly acclaimed and applauded by the distinguished gathering at the function on the International Women’s Day. In time with the feelings of the women of the Assam the Commission emphatically and strongly recommends that the State Govt. should immediately implement the decision to declare 23 the above days as suggested. While addressing the school children, who turned up in a large numbers and participated in the proceedings of the function throughout, the Chairperson urged the girl-students to be strong enough to face the realities of life and to know the significance of the International Women’s Day. She further added that the adolescent stage of the girl-child is most vulnerable and at this stage they must be conscious and aware of their rights and responsibilities, guaranteed by the Constitution.

The International Women’s Day commenced with the garlanding of the Statue of Smt. Nalini Bala Devi at the Park at Paltan Bazar by Smt. Puspa Lata Das, Ex. M.P. and a renowned social worker. A procession comprising of all leading women’s organizations and school children started from Kasturba Ashran, Dakhin Sarania, Ulubari and later conversed at the Rabindra Bhawan. The participants in the exhibition held on this occasion were Handloom and Textiles Departments, Social Welfare Dept. Health and Family Welfare Department and the Non-Government Organisation. The highlight of the exhibition was the display of posters, pamphlets/blow-ups/pictorials of the different departments and selected handicraft and handloom products of ethnic importance. In the afternoon discussion on the women welfare oriented schemes of the departments of Health and Family Welfare and Industries was held. In a paper presented by Smt. Manjula Sakia Bhuyan, Joint Director of Industries maintained that half of the population in the world is women and also contended that there is a trend for participation of women in all progressive and development activities. The women should be economically self-reliant and that can be possible through the small –scale industries, small trades and through genuine women entrepreneurship.

She further stated that the Govt. of India constituted a Standing Committee for development of women entrepreneurs. The recommendations given by the Standing Committee in respect of women entrepreneurs for marketing products of small-scale industries, run by women entrepreneurs with bank loan should be implemented in letter and spirit to provide the women a footing to be economically self-reliant. It is heartening 24 to mention that the Govt. of Assam have created a Women’s Cell in the Department of Industry to look after various aspects of the small-scale industries to be undertaken by the women entrepreneurs.

There are certain schemes undertaken by the State Govt. for the benefit of women entrepreneurs such as “Implant Training”, “Study Tour Schemes” for exposure of potential and prospective entrepreneurs and many other training programmes aimed at equipping the women to run and manage their own concern more efficiently and more profitably.

Dr. Sabita Patowary Professor and Head of Community Medicine, Guwahati Medical College and Dr. Pranati Dhar, Additional Director, Health Services discussed on Welfare programme on Health for women in Assam and prevention of Aids. A lively but comprehensive lecture was delivery regarding welfare of Health for women, Dr. S. Patowary mentioned that with a view to improve health and welfare of women a programme on “Safe Motherhood” is being launched in the State as a part of the child survival and safe motherhood programme such as iodine deficiency disease control programme. Vitamine ‘A’ deficiency control programme. Tuberculosis and other waterborne disease etc.

Dr. Pranati Dhar spoke on the preventive measures for the control of Aids and discussed very lucidly the subject with the help of visual shown on video-projector.

Finally the function concluded with vote of thanks from the Chair.

During the year under report, the activities of the Commission’s work was handicapped by financial constraints. The token budget provision of Rs. 1.00 lakh during the financial year 1994-95 was extremely inadequate to meet the heavy expenditure 25 involved in maintenance and establishment of a new office. A statement of expenditure is at Annexure-D.

The Department of Social Welfare is the Administrative Head of the Assam State Commission for Women. From experience it is found that the workload of the Department is too heavy. To show justice to the vulnerable sections of the society namely Women and Children and the physically handicapped people, a separate Department in the pattern of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Women and Children Department, Govt. of India) should be created by bifurcating the present Department of Social Welfare. The Commission feels that the State Government should take a concrete step in this direction for giving maximum of benefit to the women and children and to those who are physically handicapped and requires special attention and assistance from the Government and society as well.

In concluding the report the Commission expresses its gratefulness to the Govt. of Assam including all, particularly Social Welfare Department, which extended all possible help for smooth functioning of the Commission. The Commission’s Annual Report will remain incomplete if we do not express our gratefulness to the N.G.Os and eminent women of the State without whose instinct support and co-operation many of Commission’s efforts and endeavours could not have achieved desired results. We are thankful to all who have in many ways helped the Commission since its inception. We are hopeful and confident that such support from all quarters will always be with us and help us to strike towards our goal.

Dated : Guwahati Smt. Mridulla Saharia The 7th April, 1995 Chairperson Assam State Commission for Women Bal Bhawan, Uzanbazar, Guwahati-1 26 27

ANNEXURE –A

GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

ORDERS BY THE GOVERNOR

N O T I F I C A T I O N

Dated Dispur the 25th January’94

NO. SWD 79//93/64 :- In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3(1) of the Assam State Commission for Women Ordinance, 1993, the Governor of Assam is pleased to constitute the Assam State Commission for Women with the Chairperson and other members as mentioned below for a period of 3(three) years from the date of issue of this Notification.

1. Smt. Mridula Saharia, Tangla - Chairperson 2. Smt. Hema Bharali, Guwahati - Member 3. Smt. Sabita Das, Silchar - Member 4. Smt. Anandi Rabha, Dudhnoi - Member 5. Smt. Aleya Kurmiu, Dibrugarh - Member 6. Smt. Abola Gohain, Jorhat - Member 7. Dr. (Ms) Shahnaaz Rahman - Member M.S., LL.B, Ph.d, Advocate Gauhati High Court, Guwahati 8. Ms. Jashomoyee Devi, M.A., P. Phil - Member Faculty Member NEIBM, Guwahati 9. Professor (Dr) Lakshyahira Dutta, MA, Phd. - Member Gauhati University

Sd/- D.B. Chetry Secretary to the Govt. of Assam Social Welfare Department

Memo No. SWD. 79/93/64-A Dated Dispur, the 25th January’94 Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to :- 1. The Advisor to the Chief Minister, Assam, Dispur 2. The P.P.S. to the Chief Minister, Assam, Dispur 3. The P.S. to Minister Social Welfare Deptt. Assam, Dispur 28

4. The P.S. to Chief Secretary, Assam, Dispur 5. The P.S. to the Addl. C.S. Assam ®/Addl. C.S. Assam(B) Dispur 6. The Chairman, Assam Administrative Tribunal, Guwahati 7. The Chairman, Assam Board of Revenue, Guwahati 8. All Spl. Commissioner and Spl. Secretaries/Commissioners/Secretaries to the Govt. of Assam. 9. The Chief Electrical Officer, Dispur 10.The Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Assam, Assam House, New Delhi 11. All Commissioners of Divisions, Assam. 12. The Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Dispur 13. All Deputy Commissioners 14. The Chief Executive Members, N.C. Hills District Council, Haflong/Karbi Anglong District Council, Diphu. 15. Principal Secretary Bodoland Autonomous Council, Kokajhar 16. All P.S. to Minister/Minister of State, Dispur 17. All members concerned 18. The Directors, Social Welfare and Probation, Assam, Guwahati-1 19. The Secretary Assam State Social Welfare Advisory Board, F.C. Road, Guwahati-1 20. The Member Secretary National Commission for Women, New Delhi 21. The Superintendent Assam Govt. Press, Bamunimaidam for publication in the next issue of the Assam Gazette. He is requested to furnish us with 300 copies of the notification.

By order etc.

Sd/- (Smt. M. Hagjer Barman) Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of Assam Social Welfare Department. 29

ANNEXURE-B GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM OFFICE OF THE ASSAM STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN BAL BHAWAN, GUWAHATI-1

No. SCW(V) 15/94/57 Dated Guwahati the 30th November, 1994

ORDER

It exercise of the powers conferred under Section 8(1) of the Assam State Commission for Women Act, 1994, the Chairperson of Assam State Commission for Women is pleased to constitute the Committee for Socio-Economic Development of Women with the following members until further orders.

1. Smt. Bonoj Senapati Member, National Commission for Women Adviser

2. Smt. Mridula Saharia Chairperson, Assam State Commission for Women Chairperson

3. Smt. Hema Bharali Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

4. Smt. Sabita Das Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

5. Smt. Anandi Rabha Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

6. Smt. Aleya Kurmi Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

7. Smt. Abola Gohain Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

8. Dr.(Ms.) Shahnaaz Rahman, M.A., LL.B, Ph.D Advocate, Gauhati High Court, Guwahati & Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

9. Ms. Jashomoyee Devi, M.A., P.Phil, Faculty NEIBM, Guwahati & Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member 30

10. Professor (Dr.) Lakshyahira Dutta, M.A, Ph. D Guwahati University & Member, Assam State Commission for Women Member

11. Smt. Santa Agarwal Chairperson, Assam State Social Welfare Advisory Board Member

12. Smt. Hemoprova Saikia President, Assam Seva Samiti, Guwahati Member

13. Smt. Kamal Kumari Barua President, Asom Pradeshik Mahila, Samiti, Guwahati Member

14. Smt. Gayatri Hazarika Nari Adhikar Surakha Samiti, Guwahati Member

15. Director of Social Welfare & Probation, Assam Member

16. Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Assam Member

17. Director of Panchayat & Rural Development, Assam Member

18. Director of Industries, Assam Member

19. Director of Handloom & Textile, Assam Member

20. Director of Sericulture, Assam Member

21. Director of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Assam Member

22. Director of Elementary Education, Assam Member

23. Director of Adult Education, Assam Member

24. Director of Health Services, Assam Member

25. Inspector General of Prisons, Assam Member

26. Director of Agriculture, Assam Member

27. Director of Fisheries, Assam Member 31

28. Mrs. M. Hagjer Barman Member Member-Secretary, Assam State Commission for Women Sd/- Illegible Assam State Commission for Women

Memo No. SCW(W) 15/94/57-A Dated Guwahati the 30th November, 1994

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to :-

1. The Advisor to the Chief Minister, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-6 2. The P.P.S. to the Chief Minister, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-6 3. The P.S. to Minister Social Welfare Deptt. Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-6 4. The Member, National Commission for Women, 4, Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg, New Delhi-110002 5. The Chairperson, Assam State Commission for Women, Bal Bhawan, Guwahati-1 6. The Commissioner, Social Welfare, Assam 7. All Members of the Assam State Commission for Women 8. All Members of the Committee for Socio-Economic Development of Women 9. All Members of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Assam State Commission for Women

By order etc. Sd/- Illegible Member Secretary Assam State Commission for Women 32

ANNEXURE –C GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM ASSAM STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN GUWAHATI-1

Memo No. SCW(W) 15/94/50 Dated Guwahati the 22nd July, 1994

ORDER

In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 8(1) of the Assam State Commission for Women Act, 1994, the Chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Women in pleased to constitute the Legal Advisory Committee with the Chairperson and Members as mentioned below until further orders.

1. Shri Dambarudhar Pathak, Ex-Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Assam Adviser

2. Smti Hema Bharali, Member, Assam State Chairperson Commission for Women.

3. Smti. D.B. Devi, Judicial, Magistrate, Gauhati Member

4. Dr.(Smti) Deepali Dutta, Ex. Principal, Guwahati Member Medical College & Principal Mental Welfare Society.

5. Shri Bhargav Chowdhury, Advocate, Gauhati Member High Court

6. Smti M. Kakati, APS, D.S.P., All Women’s Police Member Station, Guwahati, Panbazar

7. Dr.(Smti) Shahnaaz Rahman, Member, Assam Member State Commission for Women

Sd/- Mridula Saharia Chairperson Assam State Commission for Women

Memo No. . SCW(W) 15/94 Dated Guwahati the 22nd July, 1994 Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to :-

1. The Advisor to the Chief Minister, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-6 2. The P.P.S. to Minister to the Chief Minister, Assam, Dispur, 33

3. The P.S. to Minister, Social Welfare Deptt. Assam, Dispur, 4. The Chairperson, Assam State Commission for Women 5. All Members, Assam State Commission for Women 6. The Adviser and All Members Legal Advisory Committee 7. The Member Secretary, National Commission for Women. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi 8. The Director, Social Welfare & Probation, M.G. Road, Uzanbazar, Guwahati-1

By order etc. Sd/- Illegible Member Secretary Assam State Commission for Women 34

ANNEXURE-D

Details of Grants received and expenditure incurred during the years ending 1993-94 and 1994-95. Source Balance of Receipt Expenditure Balance unutilized grant 1 2 3 4 5

1993-94

Grant-in-Aid Nil Rs.3,00,000.00 As the amount was from Social sanctioned in Welfare March’94 the Deptt. Govt. amount was released of Assam in April-May’94

1994-95

Grant-in-Aid Rs. 3,00,000.00 Rs. 1,00,000.00 (Details are given from Social below) Welfare Deptt. Govt. of Assam

Details of Expenditure

1. Purchase of official vehicle Rs. 1,89,000.00 2. P.O.L. Rs. 21,500.00 3. Sitting allowance to the Chairperson and Members of Rs. 7,500.00 the Commission 4. T.A. & D.A. to the Chairperson and Members of the Rs. 37,200.00 Commission. 5. Salaries to the Staff of the Commission Rs. 57,900.00 6. Purchase of furniture Rs. 16,900.00 7. Arrangement for holding of Meetings Rs. 13,500.00 8. Maintenance of allotted Vehicle. Rs. 16,000.00 9. Purchase of Typewriter Rs. 9,500.00 10 Purchase of stationeries Rs. 8,055.00 . 11 Office expenses (Miscellaneous) Rs. 32,945.00 . Grand Total :- Rs. 4,00,000.00 35

(RUPEES FOUR LAKHS) ONLY