Bhubaneswar: The state govt on Monday ordered the removal Odisha State Commission for Women‘s (OSCW) chairperson, Minati Behera, from her position, citing unsatisfactory performance during her current tenure.
The decision came after the state govt issued a show cause notice to Behera on October 29, questioning her effectiveness in handling cases and conducting camp courts. “Your performance with regard to the disposal of cases and holding of camp courts has been found to be unsatisfactory during your tenure in OSCW,” the notice read. Behera, who was appointed as chairperson in 2018-19, was given until 4pm on November 1 to provide an explanation for her performance.
“After a thorough and careful examination of the show cause reply submitted by the chairperson, OSCW, it is observed that the reply is inadequate and does not justify the unsatisfactory performance of the commission,” read the notification of the govt issued on November 9.
Behera was appointed as OSCW chairperson by the previous BJD govt. This was her second tenure. In her first term, she joined OSCW as chairperson on August 20, 2019. Her second term began on October 12, 2022 and would have ended next year on October 12.
The govt is expected to announce a new chairperson for the commission — that is responsible for investigating complaints of women’s rights violations, providing support to victims and ensuring proper implementation of laws protecting women’s interests in the state — in due course.