New Panel Set up to Address Sexual Harassment at WorkplacesTop Stories

July 26, 2019 18:10
New Panel Set up to Address Sexual Harassment at Workplaces

(Image source from: Hindustan Times)

Months after #MeToo movement swept India with scores of women coming out with their accounts of sexual harassment in their line of work, the Indian government now is all geared up to form a committee that lets women address sexual harassment at workplaces.

The new panel, chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, will have four cabinet ministers to examine ways to prevent workplace sexual harassment, a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

                        (Image source from: Livemint)

The new cabinet minister includes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani and HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhrial Nishank.

                        (Image source from: Livemint)

                        (Image source from: www.jagran.com)

The previous panel experienced silent dissolution as a result of the resignation of M J Akbar, the then Minister of State for External Affairs, after facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment from several women. Akbar and Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi are among dozens of high-profile men accused of sexual misconduct.

Spokesperson Shelat Harit Ketan said: “The group of ministers was set up on July 18 since the previous panel lapsed ahead of the formation of the new government.”

Congress lawmaker Sushmita Dev called the government's decision a knee-jerk reaction to criticism of its failure to make public the findings of the earlier panel.

On government's decision to re-institute the committee, she said: “It is a foregone conclusion that nothing was done in the past. That is why the proceedings were hidden. The new committee should hold consultations with all stakeholders and thoroughly examine existing legislation.”

By Sowmya Sangam

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sexual harassment  workplace  women  lifestyle