The Central govermnent on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it is working on a dashboard for details of all internal complaints committees (ICCs) of government departments and ministries. [Aureliano Fernandes v. State of Goa and Others]..A Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta remarked that many ICCs, which are mandated under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013 (POSH Act), have not been properly constituted.During the hearing today, Justice Mehta stated that there can be a dashboard to monitor enforcement of the Act. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union government, then said that such a dashboard was a work in progress."As an officer of the court, I can say that it should include - constitution of the committee, date on which it was constituted, total number of complaints received and number of complaints disposed," she said."This is an exercise that would have to be taken by all the states. This would reduce manpower and human intervention," Justice Kohli weighed in..The Supreme Court had in May last year taken strong exception to the fact that even a decade since enactment of the POSH Act, there remained serious lapses in its effective enforcement.The Court had underlined that all the state functionaries, public authorities, private undertakings, organisations and institutions are duty-bound to implement the POSH Act in letter and spirit.It had issued a slew of directions to ensure that there is a robust and effective implementation of the POSH Act, and cautioned that women will not be treated with dignity and respect at the workplace unless and until there is strict adherence to the enforcement regime and a proactive approach by all the State and non-State actors.It has since been hearing the matter to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Act..Advocate Padma Priya is the Amicus Curiae in the matter.The matter was today adjourned by four weeks to enable ministries and state governments to file comprehensive compliance affidavits.
The Central govermnent on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it is working on a dashboard for details of all internal complaints committees (ICCs) of government departments and ministries. [Aureliano Fernandes v. State of Goa and Others]..A Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta remarked that many ICCs, which are mandated under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013 (POSH Act), have not been properly constituted.During the hearing today, Justice Mehta stated that there can be a dashboard to monitor enforcement of the Act. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union government, then said that such a dashboard was a work in progress."As an officer of the court, I can say that it should include - constitution of the committee, date on which it was constituted, total number of complaints received and number of complaints disposed," she said."This is an exercise that would have to be taken by all the states. This would reduce manpower and human intervention," Justice Kohli weighed in..The Supreme Court had in May last year taken strong exception to the fact that even a decade since enactment of the POSH Act, there remained serious lapses in its effective enforcement.The Court had underlined that all the state functionaries, public authorities, private undertakings, organisations and institutions are duty-bound to implement the POSH Act in letter and spirit.It had issued a slew of directions to ensure that there is a robust and effective implementation of the POSH Act, and cautioned that women will not be treated with dignity and respect at the workplace unless and until there is strict adherence to the enforcement regime and a proactive approach by all the State and non-State actors.It has since been hearing the matter to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Act..Advocate Padma Priya is the Amicus Curiae in the matter.The matter was today adjourned by four weeks to enable ministries and state governments to file comprehensive compliance affidavits.