In a decisive move to uphold women's safety and institutional accountability, Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has ordered the withholding of salaries of staff in over 100 colleges across the district for failing to submit mandatory reports of their Internal Complaint Committees (ICC), which are required under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The collector has given a strict 24 to 48-hour deadline to non-compliant colleges, failing which principals will face suspension and the entire establishment's salaries will be put on hold. “There will be zero tolerance for delays, especially when it concerns the dignity and safety of women,” said Shinde in a public statement.
Urgent Action Following Tragic Incident
This directive follows a shocking incident in Balasore district, where a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan College reportedly died by suicide, allegedly after being ignored by college authorities following her complaint of sexual harassment against a professor. The tragic event has raised serious questions about how complaints are handled in educational institutions.
Reacting swiftly, the Odisha Higher Education Department issued a statewide directive on forming Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) within 24 hours in all colleges and universities, along with clear guidelines on compliance.
Low Compliance Rate Sparks Administrative Action
Out of approximately 210 higher educational institutions in Cuttack, only a handful have submitted the required ICC reports. The July 21 order categorically states that salaries of the staff, including teaching and non-teaching members, will be withheld until institutions provide proof of compliance. The move is aimed at forcing swift adherence to statutory obligations.
“If colleges don’t comply within 48 hours, appropriate disciplinary action including suspension of the principal and salary stoppage for the entire staff will be implemented,” Shinde added.
Statewide Measures for Women’s Safety in Colleges
The Odisha government is rolling out multiple initiatives to ensure safe learning environments for women in educational institutions:
Tech-Based Grievance Redressal: Shaktishree App
To facilitate easier and confidential complaint registration, the government will soon launch the Shaktishree mobile application, which will allow students to:
New Code of Conduct for Educational Staff
Additionally, a new code of conduct is being developed for teachers and non-teaching staff across the state. This code will include:
Conclusion
The collector’s firm stance, along with the state government's proactive initiatives, signals a new era of accountability and safety in Odisha’s education system. With rising awareness and stricter enforcement of gender-sensitive laws, educational institutions are being reminded that women’s safety is not optional—it is non-negotiable.
