Bhubaneswar, July 14 (UNI) The Odisha Government today issued strict instructions to all public and private universities, as well as government and unaided degree colleges under the Higher Education Department, to constitute Internal Committees (ICs) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 within 24 hours.
The department’s directive follows a shocking incident at F.M. Autonomous College, Balasore, where a second-year integrated B.Ed student attempted self-immolation on Saturday, allegedly in protest against sexual harassment by Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu of the Educational Studies department.
According to reports, the student resorted to the extreme act after allegedly receiving no support from either the college authorities or the internal committee following her complaints.
Both the Assistant Professor and the college Principal have since been suspended and arrested by the police.
In a letter addressed to the Registrar of public and private universities and Principal of government and aided colleges, the Deputy Director of the Higher Education Department emphasised that the department had previously communicated the necessity of constituting ICs in all higher educational institutions.
The institutions have now been directed to submit compliance reports within 24 hours, ensuring adherence to Section 4 of the Act. The guidelines mandate appropriate representation of women and inclusion of external members on the committee.
Additionally, all institutions must comply with the UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.
Colleges have also been instructed to display the names and contact details of all IC members in prominent locations on campus and to upload this information on the HIMS portal.
Registrars and principals have been asked to immediately organise workshops to sensitise students and staff regarding the 2013 Act.
They are also required to upload a geo-tagged photograph showing where the IC details are displayed via this link: https://tinyurl.com/ICCHED25.
