Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: Amid complaints of sexual harassment on campuses, the Odisha Higher Education Department has written higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the state to constitute internal complaint committee (ICC).
The HEIs have been asked to form the ICC and submit compliance to the department by September 30.
"In light of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, it is imperative for all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIS) to ensure a safe and secure environment for their employees and students," the letter read.
"To meet the statutory obligations under this Act, each institution is required to constitute an Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) as per section 4 of the above Act. The ICC is crucial for addressing grievances related to sexual harassment and fostering a positive and respectful workplace," the letter added.
In the notifications sent to the registrars, principals of all state public, private and deemed to be universities, government, non-government degree colleges and government teacher education institutions, the Higher Education Department has warned the the concerned authorities to comply with and submit an action taken report before the dateline.
The directive came following the filing of sexual harassment cases by girl students of two private colleges in the Janasunani portal of Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in July this year.
