Bhubaneswar, November 11: The Odisha government on Monday ordered the removal of Minati Behera from her position as Chairperson of the State Commission for Women (OSCW), citing unsatisfactory performance.
“Minati Behera’s reply was inadequate and failed to justify the Commission’s unsatisfactory performance,” stated an official notification from the Women and Child Development Department. The statement emphasized that her removal was carried out in the interest of public welfare, as per Section 4(3) of the Orissa State Commission for Women Act, 1993.
Behera was appointed by the previous BJD Government.
The action was taken following the submission of reply of Behera to the show-cause notice issued to her by the Women and Child Development Department.
The official order specified, “In accordance with Provision of Sub-section 3 of Section 4 of the Orissa State Commission for Women Act, 1993, a show-cause notice was issued to the Chairperson of OSCW, requesting a reply by 4:00 PM on November 1, 2024. After a careful review, her response was found lacking and did not adequately address the Commission’s underperformance.”
This decision marks a rare instance of direct government intervention to uphold accountability within a key public institution. The OSCW serves a critical role in advocating for women’s rights across Odisha, dealing with issues such as domestic violence and workplace harassment. The government’s action signals its commitment to ensuring effective and responsive leadership within the Commission.
The notification further noted that Behera’s appointment, which began on October 12, 2022, has been cut short “in the exigency of public interest.”
Reports indicated that Behera initially resisted the order and did not vacate her position immediately. In response, officials emphasized the importance of adherence to protocol, underscoring that OSCW leadership must remain accountable to the public and the women it serves.
Earlier, on October 28, Behera was served a show-cause notice regarding her “unsatisfactory performance” as Chairperson.
