MANSI BHAMBRI / Dehradun
Many women in Dehradun have expressed concerns about the location of the Uttarakhand State Commission for Women (USCW) office, stating that its distance from the city centre makes it difficult for complainants to seek assistance. Currently located near the Nanda Ki Chowki in the Suddhowala area, the office is not easily accessible, especially for women from remote areas. Many women have stated that a commission designed to support and assist distressed women should be positioned in the heart of the city to ensure easier access. Authorities should expedite the relocation process so that more women can approach the commission without facing inconvenience due to the distance, they said. Taking note of this, the USCW chairwoman Kusum Kandwal said that the process to relocate the commission’s office to a more central location is already underway.
Local resident Renu Chanchal said that the office’s distant location is a significant concern and a hurdle for those seeking assistance. She said that women from remote areas or other districts find it particularly challenging to reach the office. Chanchal shared how her friend’s sister, who lives in another district, struggled just to get to the city and then to the commission’s far-off location in the corner of the city. She stressed that this issue affects anyone who wants to approach the commission for assistance, causing many women to avoid seeking help altogether.
“Offices that assist should be located at the city centre. Other departments are situated in the city centre, but this important commission is far away. I urge the authorities to take this matter seriously and relocate the office to a central location,” said another local resident Priyanka Bisht.
Many other women expressed similar concerns about the USCW’s distance. Kandwal acknowledged that the current location poses challenges for many women, especially those from remote areas. To address this issue, the commission is actively searching for a new office space in a more accessible location. However, a suitable site has not yet been identified.
A letter has been sent to the district magistrate regarding the allocation of a government office for the commission, along with the Women Empowerment and Child Development department. She added that the process of finalising a site is underway. Until a more central location is established, Kandwal appealed to women who face difficulties reaching the commission to contact the commission through its WhatsApp number at 8126774374, email at women.commission.uk@gmail.com, or visit the official website at www.ukscw.org.in. The chairwoman assured that the commission will extend full assistance to all women.
