CHANDIGARH, 11 MARCH: The Government of Punjab in the Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development has issued a Notification pertaining to withdrawal of extension of term granted to Manisha Gulati as Chairperson of Punjab State Women Commission with immediate effect. Manisha was appointed as such by then Captain Amarinder Singh led Cong Govt in Punjab in March, 2018. She was even granted extension in Sep, 2020. However, Manisha joined BJP in Feb, 2022 days before the 16th Punjab Assembly General Elections.
The above Gazette Notification mentions that in supersession of Punjab Government Notification No. 2/31/1991-2WCD/2179 dated 18 Sep 2020, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to withdraw extension of term granted to Mrs. Manisha Gulati, 12 Rose Avenue, Maqbool Road, Amritsar (Punjab) as Chairperson of Punjab State Women Commission, Chandigarh with immediate effect.
Hemant Kumar, an Advocate at Punjab & Haryana High Court said that the aforementioned Notification is dated 7 March 2023 which bears the seal and signature of Kripa Shankar Saroj, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development. However, as it has been published in the Punjab State Official Gazette dated 10 March 2023, so it would be effective from this very date.
Hemant further said that only a month back on 15 Feb 2023, before a Single Bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court viz. Justice Anil Kshetrapal,who heard a Civil Writ Petition filed by Manisha Gulati challenging an earlier Order dated 31 Jan 2023 on her premature removal/sacking, although the State of Punjab submitted on withdrawal of such Order but also asserted that the State proposes to pass an appropriate fresh Order in accordance with law. The HC thus disposed of the above Writ Petition filed by Gulati. Now the Punjab Government in lieu of issuing another fresh executive Order has issued a Gazette Notification pertaining to withdrawal of extension of term as granted to Gulati in Sep, 2020.