Only 8% sexual harassment cases taken up in 10 yrs

Of 102 complaints of work and sexual harassment received from women employees of the state government in the last 10 years, only eight were addressed by the state’s grievance redressal cell.

This cell deals with complaints of women working in various state departments.
This was in response to a question by legislators from the Opposition who had asked the question in the assembly during zero hour. The legislators had asked the government about the number of cases addressed by the cell regarding women employees.

The question stated that most complaints are gathering dust in government offices although the verdict should have been out within four months from the date of the complaint.

State women and child welfare minister Varsha Gaikwad admitted that only eight complaints had been resolved since 2003. “Departmental probes have been conducted and the reports have been regularly forwarded to the district-level women’s grievance cell.

Subsequently, the cases were referred to the state women’s grievance cell for a decision.
In sexual harassment cases, a departmental inquiry is crucial and mandatory due to which matters have got delayed,” said Gaikwad, adding that there is no other reason for the delay. However, this gave the Opposition legislators enough fodder to attack the Treasury benches.

Shiv Sena legislator from Dhule (rural) Sharad Patil said the delay showed that the state is not too serious about women’s issues. “Against the backdrop of the Delhi gang rape, the government should take up all registered cases at the earliest,” said Patil. “If not, the apathetic nature of the state government could breed more such incidents.”

@ss_sudhir