Kathmandu, May 3 :

All five-member of the National Women’s Commission (NWC) working committee and the commission’s secretary stepped down from their posts today after only 49 days in the job. They submitted their resignations at the PM’s office this afternoon.

“We have resigned on a moral ground so as to facilitate the present government,” said NWC president Bandana Rana. The erstwhile government had allocated Rs 5.6 million for the

NWC to be spent over four months starting on May 1, but the cabinet is yet to approve the salaries and other facilities of the members, she said.

“Though we have served in the NWC for over a month now, we couldn’t work for over three weeks due to the movement for democracy,” Rana added. She said the members of the commission were paying for many expenses from their own pockets.

The member of the committee are: president Bandana Rana; members Lily Thapa, Pramila Acharya Rijal, Sadhana Shrestha and Pridma Singh Tharu; and secretary Ambika Gajamer.

The Employees’ Group for Democratic Movement (EGDM), Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW) unit had issued an ultimatum to NWC members to submit their resignations by 5 pm today. In case the NWC members declined to do so, EGDM was planning a sit-in at NWC premises, said an employee at the MoWCSW.

Indira Prasai, advisor of MoWCSW, also quit from her post on May 1.

Meanwhile, Sharad Sharma, member secretary of Social Welfare Council, said he would also resign from his post soon.