Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Government of India
Ministry of Women and Child Development
28-December-2016 14:43 IST
Fresh guidelines on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 issued by DoPT
WCD Ministry will hold consultations on a regular basis on issues
pertaining to the Act: Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
The Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi,
had held a review meeting on implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 on 26.10.2016.
During the meeting, some cases of sexual harassment pending with certain
ministries/ departments were also examined. On the basis of the discussions, it
was decided that DoPT will issue fresh instructions so that some of the issues
can be suitably addressed.
On the basis of the decisions taken, DoPT has issued fresh guidelines
regarding Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace vide their Office Memorandum
dated 22.12.2016. According to the O.M., following have to be observed by the
ministries/departments and Internal Complaints Committees:
(i) Brief details of the
implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act including the
number of cases received and disposed shall form a part of the Annual Report of
all ministries/ departments and authorities there under.
(ii) The enquiry of cases must be
completed within 30 days and under any circumstances within 90 days from the
date of the complaint.
(iii) The ministries/ departments etc.
have to keep a watch on the complainant so as to ensure that she is not
victimized in any manner because of her having filed the complaint. The
aggrieved woman has been given further option to send representation to the
Secretary or head of the organization in case she feels that she is being
victimized because of her complaint. The concerned authority will be required
to dispose of this complaint within 15 days.
(iv) All ministries/ departments etc. are
now required to submit a monthly progress report to the Ministry of Women and
Child Development so that the progress can be monitored.
Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, while appreciating DoPT for having quickly
issued the guidelines, stated that the WCD Ministry shall continue to work on
issues related to sexual harassment of women at workplace and she will be
holding further consultations to see if there are any other areas which need to
be looked into. The WCD Ministry will be coming out with a comprehensive plan
to train the heads of Internal Complaint Committee under the Central Government
Ministries/ Departments, the Minister added.
*****
NB/UD