Punjab government has removed BJP leader Manish Gulati from the post of the Punjab State Commission for Women (PSCW) chairperson revoking the letter granting her “extension” after completion of her three-year tenure.
The state’s Social Security and Women and Child Development Department withdrew a letter, dated September 18, 2020, which had given Gulati an extension as the state women panel’s head.
Gulati, sharing close ties with the Patiala royal family, especially the former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, was appointed as Commission’s chairperson months after the formation of the Congress Government. A former Congress leader, Gulati joined the BJP in run up to state assembly polls in February last.
The orders, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Social Security and Women and Child Development) Kirpa Shankar Saroj pointed that the 2020 extension letter was issued with a “bonafide mistake”.
“There was no provision in the Punjab State Commission for Women Act, 2001, (and further amendments) regarding an extension to the sitting chairperson or to the members of the commission…As per Section 4 (1), the chairperson is mandated to hold office for period of three years only. There is no provision of extension beyond three years, in the Act, for the sitting chairperson or the member of the Punjab State Commission for Women,” Said the orders addressed to Gulati.
It added, “Whenever, there is vacancy, an advertisement has to be given in newspaper inviting applications from the deserving candidates for the post of chairperson and members. No person can be appointed on such an important post without following due procedure.”
As per a notification dated October 8, 2012, a three-member committee — headed by the Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Punjab Chief Secretary, and the Principal Secretary of the Department has to screen the candidates and prepare its recommendations, based on merit.
The committee then submit its recommendation to the Chief Minister for his approval, following which the appointment letter is issued, stated the orders, adding that there has been no recommendation from the committee members before issuing the letter, dated September 18, 2020.
Giving the reasons for withdrawing the letter granting extension to Gulati, the order read, “There has been no consultations with the women organization of Punjab State before issuing the letter dated September 18, 2020, and which is mandatory according to the Section 2(b) of the Punjab State Commission for Women Act, 2001.”
“With the bonafide mistake, a letter dated September 18, 2020, was issued by this office through which an extension was given to you,” added the order, pointing that there’s no provision in the 2001 Act and further amendments regarding extension to the sitting chairperson or to the members of the Commission.