Dy CM instructs ICC formation within a month
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Bhubaneswar: To ensure safety and dignity of women in educational institutions, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida announced on Thursday that the salaries of college authorities would be withheld if they fail to establish Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) within a month.
This directive is in line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
She said the govt's commitment to achieve 100% compliance with ICC formation is applicable to all colleges. "We are determined to ensure that every college adheres to this directive. Also, those found filing false complaints will face legal action," she said.
To bolster this initiative, Parida revealed plans for widespread sensitisation on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act.
Awareness campaigns will be rolled out from Lokseva Bhawan to district block offices, aiming to educate and inform all stakeholders about the Act's provisions and the importance of ICCs.
In a related development, the higher education department instructed principals of degree colleges, teacher education institutions, and Sanskrit degree colleges to upload ICC details on the SHe-Box portal. This platform, developed by the ministry of women and child development, offers a single-window access for women to report grievances, regardless of their employment status.
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It will display information about ICCs, local committees, and the status of complaints under the POSH Act.
This proactive stance follows a tragic incident in Balasore, where a female student resorted to self-immolation after alleging sexual harassment by her head of department. The govt, in response, has asked universities and colleges to intensify awareness activities, ensuring students are well-informed about the POSH Act and the mechanisms available for lodging complaints.
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