The general council of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) on Saturday decided to cancel an order issued by the Vice Chancellor (VC) to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee at its headquarters as per the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.
The newly formed committee had replaced the Women’s Complaint Committee constituted in 2012.
A few members of the council wondered why the members of the Women’s Complaint Committee were not included on the Internal Complaints Committee.
The council members also expressed concern over the inclusion of assistant registrar V.K. Sobhana and legal cell section officer P. B. Abdul Khader, who were part of the team of officials that handled files related to disciplinary action in the university, on the Internal Complaints Committee.
Council member Aji Francis, in a motion without notice, demanded that the Women’s Complaint Committee be restored.
The Vice Chancellor said the anomalies in the formation of the new panel would be rectified taking into account the suggestions of the council members.
Women’s safetyThe Women’s Complaint Committee had recently conducted an inquiry into a complaint registered by an associate professor alleging sexual harassment by a senior employee.
The council demanded measures to improve the security for girl students in hostels.
