Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has taken a U-turn in the matter of removing Manisha Gulati from the post of chairperson of the Punjab State Women’s Commission.
During the hearing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday, the government said that the decision will be withdrawn. With this, Manisha Gulati will now continue to occupy the post of chairperson of the State Women’s Commission.
Earlier, orders were issued by the Punjab government to end her tenure 6 months ago. Manisha Gulati had challenged this decision of the state government in the High Court, which was heard today.
Earlier on Tuesday, the High Court had issued a notice to the Punjab government on the petition of Manisha Gulati and ordered it to respond. The high court had adjourned the hearing till Wednesday on the government’s demand for time to respond.
The orders were issued by the Women Safety and Child Development Department. In this, the letter issued to Manisha Gulati was rejected, not giving extension. However, there were still 6 months left for Manisha Gulati’s term to end.
Hiring in 2018 and 3-year increase in 2020
In March 2018, She was appointed chairperson of the Punjab Commission for Women (DCW) during the tenure of the previous Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government. Then in the year 2020, her tenure was increased by three years. After this, on February 20, 2022, she also joined the BJP but remained at her post.
An order was issued by the concerned department to prematurely discharge Manisha Gulati. It had said that there was no provision in the Punjab State Commission for Women Act 2001 (further amendments) regarding extension of the service of the existing chairperson or members of the commission.