PUCASH hails toll-free number for sexual harassment plaints

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29

Members of the Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment ( PUCASH) have hailed the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new toll-free number for registration of grievances related to women and sexual harassment. The committee members still don't have any proper designated office to carry out their work. Much recently, the two-year term of PUCASH members, which was to end on September 30, was extended by the university.

In a circular dated October 25, addressed to the vice-chancellors of all universities, the UGC has requested all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to prominently display and inform toll free number: 1800-111-656 to all concerned for registration of grievances related to women and sexual harassment. In addition, it has also requested the institutions to facilitate registration of grievances related to women and sexual harassment on UGC Student Grievance Redressal Portal.

The UGC’s new circular views a safe and healthy environment for women students and employees on HEIs campuses as a necessary precondition to quality education and research. With its new guidelines and a centralised number, it intends to put in place foolproof mechanisms and impregnable standards of safety for women.

However, for the last two years, Panjab University has spelled its callousness over facilitating the proper functioning of the PUCASH by turning a blind eye to the repeatedly raised request of an office space by the committee members.

Dr Ameer Sultana, convener of PUCASH, said, “The UGC has made the right move by offering a centralised number. We will display this number as we have done in the case of displaying the contacts of PUCASH members’ at all prominent places in PU. However, we do not have a proper office for PUCASH to closely monitor the complaints.”

Chairperson of PUCASH Manvinder Kaur said, “We have been running this committee in a makeshift manner. For four years, by the previous chairperson of the committee, PUCASH’s office was being run at the Department of Laws, but at the Department-cum-Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, we don’t have that kind of space.”

She also raised concern over the registration of grievances related to women and sexual harassment on UGC Student Grievance Redressal Portal. “Section 16 of the Sexual Harassment Act assures confidentiality. I don’t know whether this portal will be made public or not.”

PUCASH member Prof Rajat Sandhir said, “With a centralised number, the university will be made accountable and it will make the registry of the number of cases dealt by internal complaints committees of various HEIs easier. The UGC has a similar centralised number against ragging too.”

UGC lists steps for women safety in higher education institutions

• Constitute an Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) and a Special Cell in their respective institutions to deal with the issue of gender based violence and to conduct gender sensitisation programme.

• It may be ensured that ICC constituted in the University is working as per UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.

• Ensure that widest possible dissemination of provisions of the law pertaining to sexual harassment of women at workplace should be done.

n Provide healthy and secure atmosphere for all women at all the places and facilities on the campus.

n Facilitate registration of grievances related to women and sexual harassment on UGC Student Grievance Redressal Portal.

n Prominently display and inform Toll free number: 1800-111-656 to all concerned for registration of grievances related to women and sexual harassment.