APWWS Raises Alarm Over Miss Arunachal Event Management, Demands Reforms

Itanagar, August 27, 2024: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) has voiced serious concerns over the management of the Miss Arunachal event, highlighting issues related to participant safety, dignity, and fairness. In a recent meeting with Ramesh Linggi, Director of Youth Affairs, the APWWS delegation sought clarification on the event’s handling and raised questions about its transparency and integrity.

The event, which is part of the Chief Minister’s Talent Hunt initiative, saw its funding increase to Rs 80 lakhs in 2019. Despite this, allegations of mismanagement and unpaid incentives have surfaced. Former Miss Arunachal Tengam Celine Koyu reported that she has not received her incentives, even though Rs 10 lakhs were disbursed to the organizing body in October 2023.

APWWS’s inquiry revealed that while no No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required for incentive claims, a recommendation is necessary to authenticate them. The society expressed concern over the absence of anti-harassment clauses in the event’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the lack of mandated internal complaint committees, which are critical for addressing grievances and ensuring participant safety.

The APWWS has called for immediate action from the Directorate of Youth Affairs, demanding the prompt release of pending payments, an impartial investigation into the allegations against the organizers, and the formation of a monitoring panel to oversee women’s events in the state. They also proposed implementing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for incentives and stressed the importance of adopting best practices in event management to safeguard participants’ interests.

The society’s call for reforms underscores the need for greater accountability and protection in state-sponsored events, particularly those involving women.