'Action will be taken....' Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on lady IAS officer's 'condom' remarks during UNICEF workshop

Bihar: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday reacted to the row over Bihar WCD MD's 'condom' remarks and assured that action would be taken on the same. "I've immediately called a meeting. We're helping to empower women. I'm monitoring each and everything. Action will be taken," said Nitish Kumar.

Notably, Bihar's Women Development Corporation (WDC) Managing Director Harjot Kaur Bamhrah while addressing a student's question about the government providing sanitary pads free of cost, asked 'if she wanted free condoms too.' The video of the interaction went viral on social media and received a lot of flak.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) took cognizance of the same and sought a written explanation from the bureaucrat within seven days. "NCW has taken cognizance of the remarks of IAS officer and MD of WCDC Bihar publicly mocking a schoolgirl who requested sanitary napkins at an event," said the commission.

The lady IAS office of Bihar Cadre (1992 Batch) Harjot Kaur Bamhrah was responding to the question raised by a girl student at a workshop--'Sashakt Beti, Samriddh Bihar: Towards enhancing the value of girl child'-- organised jointly by the UNICEF, Save the Children, Plan International including Women and Child Development Corporation in Patna on Tuesday.

During the event, a girl asked why the government could not provide sanitary pads worth Rs 20-30 despite having the provisions. The senior woman IAS officer responded that there is no end to demands and added that why only sanitary pads, 'if you want, the government can give you jeans pants, shoes as well.' The IAS officer went on to say that after the marriage, the 'government will provide you with contraceptive pills, and condoms, helpful in family planning that too free of cost.'

"The Commission has observed that such insensitive attitude from a person at a responsible position is condemnable and extremely shameful. NCW has taken cognizance of the matter. Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to Harjot Kaur Bhamra, IAS seeking explanation over her inappropriate and highly objectionable remarks," a statement by the NCW read.