Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, May 26: Karnataka State Women’s Commission chairperson Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary has directed officials to constitute Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in all institutions and offices where women are employed, to facilitate complaints in cases of sexual harassment at workplaces. She stressed that the committees must function effectively upon receiving complaints and ensure justice for women.
She was speaking while presiding over the women’s grievance redressal and women’s progress review Meeting jointly organised by the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, Bengaluru, district administration, Zilla Panchayat, police department and the Women and Child Development Department at the Dr V S Acharya Auditorium in Rajathadri, Manipal, on Tuesday, May 26.
Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary said that as per government orders, all government and private institutions employing more than 10 staff members must mandatorily form ICCs under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013.
She added that the committees should meet once every three months, awareness should be created among the public, and the names of the chairperson and members should be displayed prominently on notice boards.
She informed that 789 ICCs have been formed in the district, including 345 in government offices and 444 in private institutions. Details of 346 committees have been uploaded on the SHE Box portal, and she instructed officials to upload the remaining 443. She stressed that the POSH Act must not remain on paper but be implemented effectively to address women’s grievances.
During her visit to Malpe harbour earlier in the day, Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary said she interacted with women workers and found that many eligible beneficiaries were unaware of government schemes. She directed officials to organise special awareness camps and ensure such women receive benefits, besides submitting a report to the commission.
She stressed the need to maintain cleanliness at Malpe harbour, install CCTV cameras and ensure proper upkeep of toilets. She also instructed port department officials to ensure timely payment of wages to women workers employed there.
She said police personnel must listen to women seeking justice with sensitivity and called for strict measures to curb drug-related activities near colleges. Referring to complaints regarding inadequate response at Brahmavar police station and instances of FIRs being registered against some women in the district, she directed officials to prevent such situations.
Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary said Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities are often deprived of benefits due to lack of awareness and instructed officials to intensify publicity regarding government schemes.
On hostel admissions, she said efforts would be made to bring the matter to the government’s notice and initiate new hostels. She added that existing hostels in the district are functioning well. She also noted complaints regarding delays in honorarium payments to special teachers and directed officials to address the issue immediately and ensure entitlements such as menstrual leave, maternity leave and other benefits as per rules.
She further said that the lack of basic infrastructure at the Mother and Child Hospital in the city, affecting daily healthcare services, should be treated seriously and resolved on priority.
Highlighting the shortage of obstetricians at Karkala Taluk Hospital, she said pregnant women have been forced to travel to other taluks or districts for deliveries over the past year. She directed authorities to appoint obstetricians immediately to ensure public convenience.
Around 54 cases registered with the State Women’s Commission were reviewed during the programme, and officials were instructed to resolve them.
Commission secretary Roopa R, deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K, superintendent of police Hariram Shankar, Zilla Panchayat chief planning officer Dr Uday Kumar Shetty and various district and taluk-level officials were present.