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 Kumar Shukla,
System Engineer
|
|
4
|
Nominated Students
|
1. Ms. Superna Banejee,
2nd year Ph.D.
2. Mr. Bireshwar
Bhattacharya, 1st year Ph.D.
3. Ms. Moumita Das, Ist Year MS (Pharma)
|
|
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 :8017754390)
Government Portals for Online Complaint Registration:
24x7 Helpline for Women:
Helpline Number: 7827170170
(For more information, visit NCW Women Helpline Portal)
Important
References:
- Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
- Booklet: Sexual Harassment at Workplace – Meeting All Your
Legal Needs
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
- UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment
of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions)
Regulations, 2015