Internal
Complaints Committee (ICC)
National Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Kolkata
In accordance with the mandate laid down
under "The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013," the National Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Kolkata has duly constituted an
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address complaints of sexual harassment
at the workplace and to ensure a safe, secure, and congenial environment for
all employees and students.
Vision
of the Internal Complaints Committee:
- Zero Tolerance towards Sexual
Harassment:
To nurture a campus culture characterized by respect, dignity, and
inclusion, with zero tolerance towards harassment or discrimination of any
kind.
- Empowerment of Women: To facilitate the
empowerment of women employees and students through access to counseling,
legal assistance, and professional development initiatives.
- Awareness and Preventive Measures: To undertake
awareness-building initiatives through training sessions, workshops, and
sensitization programmes for the prevention of sexual harassment.
Objectives
of the Internal Complaints Committee:
- To Create a Safe and Supportive
Environment:
To foster an institutional environment where women employees and students
feel secure and confident to raise grievances without apprehension.
- To Promote Gender Equity: To ensure the promotion
of gender equity and equality within the Institute by addressing systemic
barriers and discriminatory practices.
- To Ensure Fair and Transparent
Redressal Mechanisms: To adopt transparent, unbiased, and confidential
procedures in the handling of complaints and to uphold the principles of
natural justice.
Functions
of the Internal Complaints Committee:
The primary functions of the
ICC are as follows:
- To provide assistance to an
employee or student who intends to lodge a complaint with law enforcement
authorities.
- To facilitate mechanisms for
redressal and dialogue aimed at resolving disputes in a just, equitable, and
non-adversarial manner, while upholding the rights of the complainant.
- To ensure the confidentiality and
protection of the complainant’s identity and to extend necessary interim
reliefs such as leave, transfer, or relaxation of attendance, as deemed
appropriate, during the pendency of the inquiry.
- To prevent the victimization or
discrimination of complainants and witnesses in the course of dealing with
cases of sexual harassment.
- To ensure that no retaliatory or
adverse action is taken against any individual for participating in
proceedings or for exercising their rights under the Act.
- The Committee convenes
meetings at least once every six months, or as and when required upon
receipt of complaints.
Constitution
of the Internal Complaints Committee:
With the approval of the
competent authority, the Internal Complaints Committee has been constituted
with the following members:
|
Sl No.
|
Designation
|
Name of
the Members
|
|
1
|
Presiding Officer
|
Mrs. Devalina Sen, Administrative Officer
|
|
2
|
Faculty
|
1. Dr. Somasundaram,
Assistant Professor
2. Dr. Utpal Mohan,
Assistant Professor
|
|
3
|
Non-Teaching Staffs
|
1. Ms. Kirti Tiwari, JTA
2. Mr. Pawan K. Shukla,
System Engineer
|
|
4
|
Nominated Students
|
1. Ms. Superna Banejee,
2nd year Ph.D.
2. Mr. Bireshwar
Bhattacharya, 1st year Ph.D.
3. Ms. Momita Das, 1st
year MS (Pharm)
|
|
5
|
Member from NGO or
Associations committed to the cause of women or who have had experience in
social work or have legal knowledge, nominated by the Executive Authority
|
Ms. Amrapali Bose,
Professor, Heramba C
|
Scope
of Sexual Harassment:
Instances constituting sexual
harassment include, but are not limited to:
- Implied or explicit
promise of preferential treatment in employment.
- Implied or explicit
threat of detrimental treatment in employment.
- Implied or explicit
threat regarding present or future employment status.
- Interference with work
or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
- Humiliating treatment
likely to affect an employee’s health or safety.
The Institute is committed to
upholding the dignity of women and fostering a gender-sensitive workplace that
is free from any form of discrimination or harassment.
Terms
of Reference:
- The Committee shall
accept complaints from:
- Female employees
regarding incidents of harassment or discrimination at the workplace.
- Female students
pertaining to harassment or discrimination within academic activities or
settings.
- Female residents
concerning harassment, assault, or misconduct by employees.
- Transgender persons who
identify as women facing harassment, assault, discrimination, or
misconduct.
(Complaints falling outside
the above categories will not be dealt with by the ICC and will be forwarded to
the appropriate authority.)
- The Committee shall
operate in strict compliance with applicable Government of India Acts,
Rules, Office Memoranda, and Court Orders.
- An Enquiry Committee may
be constituted, if required, with the approval of the Director.
- The ICC shall submit its
recommendations confidentially to the Director for necessary action.
- The Committee shall
adhere to the guidelines issued in the Vishaka Judgment and other relevant
frameworks.
Procedure
for Lodging a Complaint:
Any employee or student who
believes they are subjected to sexual harassment may contact any ICC member
personally, telephonically, through a written communication, or via email.
Email ID for Complaints: ICC@niperkolkata.ac.in
(Complaints and complainant identities shall be maintained in strict
confidence.)
Emergency Contact:
(Mobile number of Ms. Devalina Sen to be updated.)
Government Portals for Online
Complaint Registration:
24x7 Helpline for Women:
Helpline Number: 7827170170
(For more information, visit NCW Women Helpline Portal)
Important
References: