Punjab University adopts policy against sexual harassment

Chandigarh, Aug 24: Punjab University (PU) here on Saturday adopted a policy against sexual harassment for the prevention and addressing of such cases and other acts of gender-based violence at the varsity and its affiliated and constituent colleges/institutions.

The PU adopted the 'Punjab University Policy Against Sexual Harassment (PUPASH)', which has been drafted in compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

The decision was taken at a PU Syndicate meeting, presided over by vice-chancellor Arun K Grover, here on Saturday. Under the policy, the time frame of filing a complaint has been fixed to three months from the date of the incident.

Also, a number of committees shall be constituted to look into the complaints and their term would be for two years. Under the policy, all the committees have been given statutory status and will be empowered to carry out the mandate of this policy, including conducting an enquiry into complaints of sexual harassment, a PU release said here.

Regional Centre Committee Against Sexual Harassment would be formed at each Regional Centre of the PU while College Committee Against Sexual Harassment would be formed in each affiliated and constituent college of the PU.

PTI