Syndicate to seek nod from HRD Ministry for probe

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, August 20

The Syndicate has decided to take up the sexual harassment case against Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover with the HRD Ministry to seek an approval for investigation. 

During the discussion today, it came out that the mandatory period of 90 days as required in the Sexual Harassment Act for deciding the case had already passed and issue needs to be expedited. It was resolved that a letter would be sent to the HRD Ministry on Monday.  The case is pending from over two years. 

Need of authorisation 

The Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment  (PUCASH) in its meeting on August 7, pointed out that that vice president’s office in a letter dated June 14 to the HRD Ministry has said that “in pursuance of the directive from the NCW (National Commission for Women), however, should the HRD Ministry consider constituting a committee specifically to look into all aspects of this matter, it may do so” and added that “the report of the said committee can be presented, through the HRD Ministry, to the competent authority of the university”. 

Later, Registrar Col GS Chadha (retd) wrote to the HRD Minsitry regarding it on July 10 but PUCASH said that there was no communication on forming the new to complete the inquiry. 

The PUCASH said, “...the final decision regarding the committee which will look into the matter depends on the directions of the HRD Ministry for which direction is not available on the file enjoining the existing PUCASH to proceed further with this matter.” It added, “...the PUCASH feels constrained to proceed further in the matter for want of specific authorisation by the HRD Minsitry.”