Follow order or face action: dept to heads of institutions

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, November 18

The Education Department has taken serious note of non-compliance of the government’s directions by heads of educational institutions. The institutions are supposed to send a report on complaints of molestation, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and rape cases against teachers and employees by 5th of every month. The department warned the erring institutions of strict action in case of laxity in the future.

The Joint Director (Higher Education) has sent a reminder to all Deputy Directors in this regard and asked them to send the details of the cases registered under the POSCO Act, cautioning that any delay or irregularity in sending the report would attract strict action.

“With safety of girls and women being the prime concern of the government, it has set “Gudiya helpline” to report all such cases and the response has been overwhelming. Over 95 per cent of about 1,500 complaints received on the helpline have been resolved and most pertained to calls on mobiles, which were solved with one call to the irritant from the police,” sources in the Police Department revealed.

The department has set up “Mahila Police Stations” in 11 out of 13 police districts and the response has been encouraging as women are coming forward to file their complaints.

“In matrimonial disputes, women were not keen on going to police stations as they are uncomfortable disclosing the minute details of the case in front of policemen and to help them in lodging complaints, women constables have been deployed in the reporting rooms in all police posts and police stations,” DGP SR Mardi said.

“Now, the women cell and “Mahila Police Stations” are being opened in every district to resolve the issue,” Mardi said.

The crime rate in Himachal is lower as compared to the neighbouring states. There has been an increase in cases of molestation, misbehaviour with women and domestic violence, but the number of dowry cases is quite less.