LexThe Punjab State Commission for Women Act , 2001
Punjab · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this actGOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB
DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
THE PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
ACT,2001
(PUNJAB ACT 4 OF 2001)
(As amended upto the 15th June, 2025)
2025
THE PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN ACT,
2001
Section CONTENTS
1. Short title and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Constitution of the Commission
4. Term of office and conditions of Service of Chairperson,
Senior Vice-Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson and members
5. Officers and other employees of the Commission.
6. Salaries and allowances to be paid out of grants
7. Vacancies etc. not to invalidate proceedings of the
Commission
8. Committees of the Commission
9. Procedure to be regulated by the Commission
10. Powers and functions of the Commission
11. Government to consult the Commission
12. Power of the Commission to utilize the services of certain
officers and investigation agencies for conducting
investigation
13. Statements made by persons to the Commission
14. Protection of acts done in good faith
15. Registration of voluntary organisations and seeking their
assistance
16. Grants by State Government
17. Accounts and Audit
18. Annual report
19. Annual report and audit report to be laid before the State
Legislature.
20. Chairperson, Senior Vice-Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson,
members and staff of the Commission to be public servants
21. Power to make rules
22. Power to remove difficulties
1THE PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN ACT,
2001
(Punjab Act No. 4 of 2001)
[Received the assent of the Governor of Punjab on the
17thApril, 2001, and was first published for general information
in the Punjab Government Gazette (Extraordinary), Legislative
Supplement, dated the 19thApril, 2001.]
1 2 3 4
Year No. Short title Whether repealed or
otherwise affected by the
legislation
2001 4 The Punjab State
Commission for
Women Act, 2001
Amended by Punjab Act
No. 29 of 2014
Amended by Punjab Act
No. 20 of 2016
Amended by Punjab Act
No. 53 of 2016
An Act to provide for the constitution of the State Commission
for Women with a view to improve the Status of women in the
State of Punjab and to enquire into unfair practices
affectingwomen and for the matters connected therewith or
incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Punjab in the
Fifty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows: -
1. (1) This Act may be called the Punjab State Commission
for Women Act, 2001.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) "Commission" means the Punjab State Commission
for Women constituted under section 3;
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Punjab Government Gazette (Extraordinary),
dated, 1st March, 2001, Page No.228
Short title and
commencement.
Definitions.
(b) "Government" means the Government of the State of
Punjab in the Department of Social Security and
Women and Children Development;
(c) "Member" means a Member of the Commission and
includes the 1[Chairperson, Senior Vice -Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson] and the Member-Secretary;
(d) "National Commission for Women" means the
National Commission for Women constituted under
section 3 of the Na tional Commission for Women
Act, 1990 (Central Act No. 20 of 1990);
(e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under
this Act; and
(f) "Women" includes female child or adolescent girl.
3. (1) The Government shall, by notification in the Official
Gazette, constitute a body to be known as "the Punjab State
Commission for Women" to exercise the powers conferred on and
to perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of: -
(a) a Chairperson, who shall be an eminent woman
committed to the cause of women to be
nominated by the Government;
2[(aa) a Senior Vice -Chairperson and a Vice -
Chairperson, who shall be eminent women
committed to the cause of woman, to be
nominated by the Government;]
(b) not more than 3[ten non-official members ]
preferably women, to be nominated by the
1 Substituted for words “Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 2
2 Substituted by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,Section 3
3Substituted for words “five non-official members” by Punjab Act No.20 of 2016, Section 2
Constitution of
the Commission.
Government from amongst the persons of
ability, integrity and standing who have served
the cause of women or have sufficient
knowledge and experience in law or leg islation,
administration of matters concerning the
advancement of women or leadership of any
trade union or voluntary organization for
women for protection, upliftment and
promotion of common interest of women:
Provided that, at least 1[two members] shall be from
amongst the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes:
Provided further that, before nominating the Chairperson,
the Government shall consult the women organizations within the
State of Punjab;
(c) the Director General of Police of Punjab shall be the
ex officio member of the Commission;
(d) the Director, Social Security and Development of
Women and Children shall be the ex officio member
of the Commission; and
(e) One Member -Secretary, to be appointed by the
Government preferably from amongst the women
officers of the Indian Administrative Service or the
Punjab Civil Service not below the rank of Joint
Secretary to the State Government.
4. (1) The 1[Chairperson, Senior Vice -Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson] and every non official member shall hold office for a
period of three years.
1Substituted for words “one member” by Punjab Act No.20 of 2016, Section 2
Term of office
and conditions
of Service of
Chairperson,
Senior Vice-
Chairperson,
Vice-
Chairperson and
members.
2[(2) The Chairperson or Senior Vice -Chairperson or Vice -
Chairperson or a non -official member may, a t any time, by writing
and addressed to the Government, resign from the office of the
Chairperson or of the office of the Senior Vice -Chairperson or of
the office of the Vice -Chairperson or of the office of the member,
as the case may be.]
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section
(1), the Government may remove a person from the office of the
3[Chairperson or Senior Vice-Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson] or
member, if, that person,
(a) becomes an undischarged insolvent;
(b) is convicted and sente nced to imprisonment for
an offence which, in the opinion of the
Government, involves moral turpitude;
(c) becomes of unsound mind and stands so
declared by a competent court;
(d) refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting;
(e) is, without obtaining leave of absence from the
Commission, absents from three consecutive
meetings of the Commission;
(f) in the opinion of the Government, has so
abused the position of the 4[Chairperson or
Senior Vice -Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson]
or member as to render th at person's
continuance in office detrimental to the public
interest or is otherwise unfit or unsuitable to
1Substituted for words “Chairperson,Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 4
2Substituted by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016, Section 4
3Substituted for words “Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 4
4Substituted for words “Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 4
continue as such 1[Chairperson or Senior Vice-
Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson] or member:
Provided that, no person shall be removed under this claus e
until that person has been given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard in the matter.
(4) A vacancy caused under sub-section (2) or sub-section
(3) or in any other manner, shall be filled in, as soon as may be, by
a fresh nomination by the Government; and the person so
nominated, shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office
of the person in whose vacancy such person has been nominated,
would have held office, if the vacancy had not occurred:
Provided that, if the vacancy of a member other t han that of
the 2[Chairperson or Senior Vice -Chairperson or Vice-
Chairperson] occurs within six months preceding the date on which
the term of office of the member expires, the vacancy shall not be
filled in.
(5) The honorarium, if any, and allowances payable to,
and the other terms and conditions of holding the office of the
3[Chairperson, Senior Vice -Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson] and
the members shall be such, as may be prescribed.
5. (1) The Government shall provide the Commission with
such officers and employees, as in the opinion of the Government,
may be necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of
the Commission under this Act.
1Substituted for words “Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 4
2Substituted for words “Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 4
3Substituted for words “Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 4
Officers and
other employees
of the
Commission.
(2) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other
terms and conditions of service of the officers and other employees
appointed for the purpose of the Commission, shall be such, as
may be prescribed.
6. The honorarium and allowances payable to the
1[Chairperson, Senior Vice -Chairperson,Vice-Chairperson] and
members and the administrative expenses, including salaries,
allowances and pensions payable to the officers and other
employees referred to in sectio n 5, shall be paid out of the grants
referred to in section 16.
7. No act or proceeding of the Commission shall be questioned
or shall be invalid on the ground merely of the existence of an y
vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of the Commission or any
defect in the nomination of a person acting as the 2[Chairperson
orSenior Vice -Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson] or a member or
any irregularity in the procedure of the Commission, includi ng
issuing of notice for holding of a meeting, not affecting merits of
the matter.
8. (1) The Commission may constitute such committee or
committees, as may be considered necessary for the efficient
performance, exercise and discharge of its functions, powers and
duties and also for dealing with such issues, as may be taken up by
the Commission, from time to time.
(2) The Commission shall have the power to appoint one
or more persons, as it may think fit, on the committee or
committees, as the case may be, constituted under sub -section (1),
and such person or persons, who are not members of the
1Substituted for words “Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 5
2Substituted for words “Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 6
Salaries and
allowances to be
paid out of grants.
Vacancies etc.
not to invalidate
proceedings of
the
Commission.
Committees of the
Commission.
Commission, shall have the right to attend the meetings of the
Committee and take part in its proceedings, but shall not have the
right to vote.
(3) The person so appointed, shall be entitled to receive
such allowances for attending the meetings of the Committee, as
may be prescribed.
(4) The Commission may invite any representative of the
National Commission for Women to any of its m eetings, or may
associate with itself, in such manner and for such purposes, as it
may deem necessary, any person whose assistance or advice, it
may need in complying with any of the provisions of this Act or in
carrying out any of its functions under this Act; and a person so
invited or associated, shall have the right to take part in the
discussion of the Commission, but shall not have the right to vote.
9. (1) The Commission or a c ommittee thereof, shall meet at
such time and place as the Chairperson may deem fit.
(2) The Commission shall regulate its own proc edure and
the procedure of the committees thereof.
(3) All orders and decisions of the Commission shall be
authenticated by the Member Secretary or any other officer of the
Commission duly authorised by the Member Secretary in this
behalf.
10. (1) The Commission shall, while investigating any matter
under this Act, have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and,
in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any
person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any
document;
(c) receiving evidenceon affidavits;
Procedure to be
regulated by the
Commission.
Powers and
functions of the
Commission.
(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof
from any court or office;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of
witnesses and documents; and
(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.
(2) The Commission shall perform all or any of the
following functions, namely:
(i) advise the Government on legislative and
developmental policies affecting women;
(ii) undertake necessary steps at the Government
and public level to protect constitutional and
legal rights of women in general and poor
amongst them in particular;
(iii) monitor the implementation of laws and welfare
measures concerning women and initiate action
for legal and administrative reforms to improve
status of women;
(iv) investigate suo moto or on complaint into the
discrimination and victimization of women and
recommend remedial action to the Government
and initiate judicial proceedings wherever
necessary for effective remedy;
(v) conduct studies and research into the problems
of women and report the same to the
Government for appropriate action;
(vi) demand prosecution in offences committed
against women and assist prosecution with
evidence and legal services;
(vii) inspect police stations, lock ups, sub jails,
rescue homes or other places of custody where
women are kept to find out the faci lities and
treatment provided to women and seek remedial
action from the appropriate authorities;
(viii) conduct public interest litigation on behalf of
groups of women in general, and in special, in
an individual case of a woman, who suffer from
injustice or discrimination; and provide legal
aid and rehabilitation in deserving cases;
(ix) approach and assist the courts on behalf of
women to ensure justice in matrimonial
disputes;
(x) investigate and examine all matters relating to
the safeguards provided for women under the
Constitution and other laws;
(xi) present to the Government, annually and at such
other times as the Commission may deem fit,
reports upon the working of the safeguards
referred to in the preceding clauses;
(xii) make in such reports re commendations for the
effective implementation of the aforesaid
safeguards for improving the conditions of
women by the Union or any State;
(xiii) review, from time to time, the existing
provisions of the Constitution and other laws
affecting women and rec ommend amendments
thereto so as to suggest remedial legislative
measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies or
shortcomings in such legislation; and
(xiv) any other matter which may be referred to it by
the Government.
11. The Government shall consult the Commission on all major
policy matters affecting women.
12. (1) The Commission may, for the purpose of conducting
investigation under this Act, utilize the services of –
(a) any officer or investigation agency of any other
state or the Central Government with the
concurrence of that Government; or
(b) any other person.
(2) For the purpose of conducting an investigation, any
officer or agency referred to in clause (a) of sub -section (1) may,
subject to the direction and control of the Commission, -
(a) summon and enforce the attendance of any
person and examine him;
(b) require the discovery and production of any
document; and
(c) requisition any public record or copy thereof
from any office.
(3) Such officer or agency or the person shall investigate
into the matter as directed by the Commission and submit a report
thereon (hereinafter in this section referred to as "the investigation
report"), to the Commission within such period, as may be
specified by the Commission in this behalf.
(4) The Commission shall satisfy itself about the
correctness of the facts stated and the conclusions, if any, arrived at
in the investigation report submitted to it under sub -section (3), and
for this purpose, the Commission may make such inquiry
(including the examination of the person or persons who conducted
or assisted in the investigation), as it thinks fit.
Power of the
Commission to
utilize the services
of certain officers
and investigation
agencies for
conducting
investigation.
Government to
consult the
Commission.
13. No statement made by a person in the course of giving
evidence before the Commission or an officer or agency, referred
to in clause (a), or the person referred to in clause (b) of s ub-
section (1) of section 12, shall subject him to, or be used against
him in, any civil or criminal proceedings except a prosecution for
giving false evidence by such statement:
Provided that the statement, -
(a) is made in reply to a question, which is r equired
by the Commission or such officer or agency or
such person to answer; or
(b) is relevant to the subject matter under
investigation.
14. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie
against any member of the Commission or any officer or other
employee of the Commission or any person acting under the
direction either of the Government or of the Commission, in
respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be
done in pursuance of th is Act or any rules or orders made
thereunder.
15. (1) Any voluntary organisation for women within the
State, may seek registration with the Commission for the purposes
of this Act. The Commission may, after satisfying itself in the
manner as it may deem fit about the importance and role of such
organisation in the society, include the name of such organisation
in its register.
(2) The Commission may, in consultation with the
voluntary organisations, evolve norms and standards on the basis
of which registration of a voluntary organisation is to be made.
(3) The Commission shall maintain a register of voluntary
organisations referred to in sub-section (1).
Statements made by
persons to the
Commission.
Protection of acts done
in good faith.
Registration of
voluntary
organisations and
seeking their
assistance.
(4) In discharge of its functi ons, the Commission may
seek the assistance of any voluntary organisation within the State,
more particularly, the women's organisations.
(5) A list of such organisations shall be made available to
any court or authority or, to the members of general publi c on
request.
(6) If, for any reason to be recorded in writing, the
Commission deems it fit to cancel the name of any organisation
from its register, it may do so, after giving such organisation a
reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(7) The decision of the Commission about such
cancellation shall be final.
16. (1) The State Government shall, after due appropriation
made by the State Legislature by law in this behalf, pay to the
Commission by way of grants from the Consolidated Fund of the
State, such sums of money, as the State Government may think fit
for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Commission may spend such sums, as it thinks fit
for performing the functions under this Act, and such sums o f
money shall be treated as expenditure payable out of the grants
referred to in sub-section (1).
17. (1) The Commission shall maintain proper accounts and
other relevant record and prepare annual statement of accounts in
such forms, as may be prescribed by the Government.
(2) The Accounts of the Commission shall be audited by
the Local Fund Examiner, Punjab, at such intervals, as may be
specified by him and any expenditure in connection with such
audit, shall be payable by the Commission to the Local Fund
Examiner, Punjab.
Grants by State
Government.
Accounts and
Audit.
(3) The Accounts of the Commission, as certified by the
Local Fund Examiner, Punjab, together with the audit report
thereon, shall be forwarded annually to the Government by the
Commission.
18. The Commission shall prepare, in such form and at such
time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual
report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous
financial year and forward a copy thereof to the Government.
19. The Government shall cause the annual report together with
a memorandum of action taken on the recommendations contained
therein, in so far as they relate to the Government and the r easons
for the non -acceptance, if any, of any of such recommendations,
and the audit report, to be laid as soon as may be, after the reports
are received, before the State Legislature.
20. The 1[Chairperson, Senior Vice -Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson,] members, officers and other employees of the
Commission shall be deemed to be public servants within the
meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
21. (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) Every rule made under this section, shall be laid as
soon as may be, after it is made, before the House of the State
Legislature while it is in session for a total period of ten days,
which may be compri sed in one session or in two or more
successive sessions and if, before the expiry of the session in which
it is so laid or the successive sessions as aforesaid, the House
agrees in making any modification in the rule or the House agrees
1Substituted for words “Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No.53 of 2016,
Section 7
Annual Report.
Annual report and audit
report to be laid before
the State Legislature.
Chairperson, Senior Vice-
Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson,members and
staff of the Commission
to be public servants.
Power to make
rules.
that the rule shou ld not be made, the rule shall thereafter have
effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case
may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall
be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done or
omitted to be done under that rule.
22. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of
this Act, the Government may, by order make such provision
including any adaptation or modification of any provision of this
Act, as appears to the Government to be necessary or expedient for
the purpose of removing the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of
a period of two years from the date of commencement of this Act.
Power to
remove
difficulties.