‘Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs’

Based on the norms and guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan & Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384) to prevent sexual harassment of working women, DPE has issued guidelines vide OM No. DPE/15(4) /98(GL-004)/GM dated 29-05-1998 to all Ministries/Departments to direct the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)  under their administrative control to make necessary amendment in their CDA (Conduct, Discipline & Appeal)  Rules on the lines of the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.   Further, as per the 62nd Report of the “Status of Women Government Employees, Service Conditions, Protection against exploitation, Incentives and other related issues” by the    Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice, DPE vide it’s OM No. 6(1)/2014-DPE(GM) dated 19-08-2014 has requested Ministries/ Departments to advise CPSEs under their control to constitute WIPS (Women in Public Sector) Cell to facilitate experience sharing, helping in confidence building and to ensure speedy redressal of their grievances including sexual harassment at workplace.

CPSEs are under the administrative control of their respective Ministries/ Departments. The complaints of individual harassment cases are dealt in accordance with CPSE’s CDA Rules and extant guidelines issued by Government from time to time. The implementation of Government instructions in CPSEs vests with the respective Board of Directors of CPSEs and its concerned Ministry / Department  and as such the data on number of incidents of sexual harassment at workplace or about gender sensitization units in CPSEs is not maintained centrally in Department of Public Enterprises.

    This information was given by Minister of  State in the Ministry of  Heavy Industries  and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.