College Principals were told to ensure that there were no incidents of ragging on their campuses.
At a meeting of Principals of arts and science and engineering colleges, convened here on Thursday, Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao said the government was keen on having an amicable atmosphere in educational institutions. Freshers or junior students should not have the fear of being humiliated by seniors. Even if there were no complaints of ragging, Principals and heads of institutions must be pro-active while dealing with students, he said.
While issuing identity cards, the colleges shall provide the toll-free number, 1800 180 5522, for making complaints on ragging. Similarly, the email address, www.antiragging.in, shall also be popularised among the freshers. This would instil confidence in them and embolden them to make complaints.
Complaint boxes must be installed prominently on the campus and the complaints dealt with by a designated official. “Even if an issue appears petty or trivial, do not take it lightly. Solve it then and there and seek cooperation from all quarters,” he said.
The institutions could conduct awareness programmes on legal consequences of ragging charges by roping in police officers. Anti-Ragging Act, 1997, should also be familiarised among students, Mr. Rao said and added that hostel wardens shall be advised on handling freshers.
Many Principals said they had anti-ragging committees functioning in their institutions and their members were familiar with the Act. Senior students were encouraged to give ‘welcome party’ for freshers to create a cordial environment, they said.
Superintendent of Police Vijeyandra Bidari, Deouty Commissioner of Police Arun Sakti Kumar and District Revenue Officer K. Veluchamy participated in the meeting.
