Odisha Government Removes Minati Behera as Women's Commission Chairperson

The Odisha Government has removed Minati Behera from her role as Chairperson of the State Commission for Women following allegations of inadequate performance, despite a prior show-cause notice demanding justification.

The Odisha Government has officially ordered the removal of Minati Behera from her position as the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women (SCW). The decision comes on the heels of a show-cause notice questioning her performance, prompting a demand for her response.

Acting on the directive from Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, the Department of Women and Child Development issued a notification dated November 9, formalizing Behera's dismissal. The order cites provisions of the Orissa State Commission for Women Act, 1993, requiring Behera to reply to the notice by November 1, 2024, following concerns over the efficacy of her tenure.

After a comprehensive evaluation, the government deemed Behera's response insufficient, citing her unsatisfactory performance. Consequently, the authorities invoked Section 4 (3) of the Act to remove her from office, stressing the importance of this decision for the public interest.

(With inputs from agencies.)