Chapter II STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

1. (1) As soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, the Government shall constitute a body to be called as the Karnataka State Commission for Women to exercise the powers conferred on and to perform the functions assigned to it by or under this Act with its headquarters at Bangalore.
2. (2) The Commission shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) a Chairperson who shall be a woman committed to the cause of women to be nominated by the Government;
   • (b) six members to be nominated by the Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry or organisation committed to increasing the employment potential of women, women's voluntary organisations including women activists administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare : Provided that at least one member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to 1[Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes]1 respectively: Provided further that majority of the members nominated under this clause shall be women;
   • (c) The Secretary to Government incharge of Women and Child Development - ex-officio member;
   • (d) Director of Women and Child Development- ex-officio member;
   • (e) Director General of Police or his nominee not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, preferably a women - ex-officio member;
   • (f) Secretary of the Commission, who shall be the member - Secretary.

¹ Substituted by Act 04 of 2014 w.e.f. 04.01.2014

1. (1) Subject to the pleasure of the Government, the Chairperson and every member shall hold office for such period not exceeding three years, as may be specified by the Government.
2. (2) The Chairperson or a member other than the ex-officio member may, resign the office of Chairperson or the member, as the case may be, by writing addressed to the Government.
3. (3) The Government shall remove a person from the office of Chairperson or a member referred to in sub-section (1) if that person,-
   • (a) becomes an undischarged insolvent; or
   • (b) gets convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which in the opinion of the Government involves moral turpitude; or
   • (c) becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or
   • (d) refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; or
   • (e) is, without obtaining leave of absence from the Commission, absents from three consecutive meetings of the Commission; or
   • (f) in the opinion of the Government, has so abused the position of the Chairperson or member so as to render that person's continuance in office is detrimental to the public interest: Provided that no person shall be removed under this clause until that person has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.
4. (4) The Government shall fill vacancies, arising out of resignation or removal within three months of such resignation or removal, by fresh nomination.
5. (5) The salary and allowances of the Chairperson and allowance payable to the member, if any, shall be such, as may be prescribed.
6. (6) The salary and allowance payable to the Chairperson and allowances payable to a member shall be defrayed out of the grants referred to in sub-section (2) of section 12.

1. (1) The Secretary of the Commission shall be an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to Government appointed by the Government.
2. (2) The Secretary shall receive such salary and other allowances as the Government may determine from time to time.
3. (3) The Government may grant from time to time leave of absence to the Secretary.
4. (4) The Secretary shall be Chief Executive of the Commission and shall,-
   • (a) operate the grants of the Commission;
   • (b) cause to be maintained accounts of the Commission;
   • (c) discharge such other functions conferred on him by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.

1. (1) The Government shall provide such staff to the Commission, as may be required for the efficient functioning of the Commission.
2. (2) The administrative expenses of the Commission including the salaries, allowances and pension payable to the Secretary and other officers and staff of the Commission shall be paid out of the grants referred to in sub-section (2) of section 12.

1. (1) The Commission shall meet as and when necessary at Bangalore or at such other places as the Chairperson may think fit: Provided that the Commission shall meet at least once in three months.
2. (2) The Commission shall regulate its own procedure and the procedure of the committees appointed under section 11 thereof.
3. (3) All the orders and decisions of the Commission shall be authenticated by the Secretary or any other officer of the Commission duly authorised by the Secretary in this behalf.

No act or proceedings of the Commission shall be questioned or shall be invalid merely on the ground of the existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Commission.