TV
Though the Odisha government has dismissed Chairperson of the State Commission for Women Minati Behera and other members from their posts, Behera is yet to leave the chair even after 18 days.
According to Behera, she has no information about the dismissal order.
Earlier on October 23, the Mohan Majhi-led government removed the Chairperson and members of the State Commission for Women from their posts with immediate effect. However, the order of the government is yet to be followed and Behera is still holding office. This development has triggered a massive controversy.
Making things murkier, the Women and Child Development Department issued a show cause notice to Behera on October 28 for ‘unsatisfactory’ performance during her tenure.
In response to the development, Behera said that she couldn’t say anything about the dismissal order.
“I have no idea about the dismissal order. I am only carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to me as per the order when I joined,” said Behera.
Meanwhile, Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida said that she will reflect after reviewing the matter.
“I have just returned from London after seven-eight days. I will give my comment on the matter after reviewing it.
On the other hand, the Opposition BJD rapped the ruling BJP for its action against the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women.
As per BJD, it’s a constitutional post and it remains unchanged irrespective of change in the government.
“New Chairperson of the State Commission for Women gets appointed after the tenure ends in three years. However, BJP is fiddling with the regulation as they are desperate to instate their leaders in the post,” said BJD leader Sarada Jena.
Moreover, BJD has also questioned how a show-cause notice has been issued after dismissing the Chairperson and other members of the body.
In response, BJP said that the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women has not carried out her responsibilities properly and hence she should tender her resignation on moral grounds.
“Crime and violence against women in Odisha have increased. However, the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women has not discharged her duties properly. She has been served show cause notice and she should tender her resignation on moral grounds,” said BJP leader Aiswarya Biswal.
The then Naveen Patnaik government had appointed Behera as the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women in October 2022 and a year is still left for the completion of her tenure.
So, why Behera is not leaving her post though she has been dismissed by the Odisha government? Is there any legal constraint? Why did the government take such a hasty decision?
However, as per legal experts, the decision is the prerogative of the government.
“State Commission for Women is under the Women and Child Development Department and it’s completely the prerogative of the government to take such a decision. If the Chairperson is feigning ignorance about the order after her dismissal by the government, it’s not correct,” said lawyer Sourachandra Mohapatra.
