NCW, Maharashtra Women's Commission and TISS Hold Consultation on Review of State-Specific Laws in Mumbai
The National Commission for Women (NCW), along with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) and the School of Law, Rights & Constitutional Governance (SLRCG) at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), held an awareness programme on "Consultation on Review of State-Specific Laws" at the S. Parasuraman Hall, TISS, Mumbai, on 5 October 2026.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar attended as the Chief Guest. The participants included academicians, college and university faculty, students, advocates, prosecutors, civil society organisations from the Government of Maharashtra, and para legal volunteers from DLSA Mumbai.
Speaking at the consultation, Rahatkar highlighted challenges relating to women's inheritance and property rights, ownership of agricultural land, the situation of widows of farmers who died by suicide, workplace safety, and access to justice. Referring to Maharashtra's women farmers' policy, she stressed that meaningful empowerment requires women to have ownership of land and a voice in decisions concerning agricultural resources. She also applauded TISS and its School of Law for working together to host the state law consultation and for the field and law based programmes run by SLRCG with MSCW.
Prof. Arvind Tiwari, representing the School of Law, Rights & Constitutional Governance at TISS, spoke about the establishment and growth of the School of Law at TISS and its commitment to legal education and access to justice for elderly senior citizens and women. He noted that under the two LL.M. programmes in Access to Justice and the M.A. in Public Policy and Governance with TISS Hyderabad, students are placed for fieldwork with MSCW. Dr. Narendra Mishra, Registrar, TISS, welcomed the Chief Guests and spoke about TISS's commitment as an institute to promote social studies and community empowerment.
The consultation was addressed by senior advocates and resource persons, including Hon'ble Judges from different District Legal Services Authorities — Shri Ravindra Phansalkar, Shri Mukhul Chithale, Shri Vivek Deshmukh and Shri Praveen Kumbhojkar — along with Senior Advocates Shri Puneet Chaturvedi and Smt. Rupali Gothwal. Dr. Sonali Kusum, Assistant Professor and Programme Coordinator, SLRCG, TISS, referred to a contemporary and significant Bombay High Court judgment, Priya Tanaji Kumbhar & Ors. v. State of Maharashtra (2026), which dealt with the vulnerabilities faced by elderly persons, particularly widowed women.
The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to bridge the gap between legislative intent and implementation, ensuring that women and senior citizens can access their legal rights with dignity, security, and timely justice.
Source: SCC Times