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Women’s panel chief to visit Berhampur University campus

BERHAMPUR: Chairperson of the State Commission for Women (SCW) Namita Panda is expected to visit the Berhampur University campus on April 20 to investigate the allegations of harassment made by a girl-student of the biotechnology department against a teacher of Botany.

Meanwhile, the three-member enquiry committee asked for more time for its investigation.

The committee comprising a university teacher, Usharani Acharya, and social activists Geeta Devi and Jashodhara Satpathy was to submit its report to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university on Tuesday.

The VC, B.K.Sahu, said the committee made a written request to him on Tuesday evening for another two or three days for proper investigation. “I have granted this extension of time as the allegations made by the student against the teacher are a serious matter,” he said.

Mr Sahu said steps were being taken to revitalise the ‘Women’s Complaint Cell’ of the university following the recent incident.

The syndicate of the university had asked the cell to organise a seminar for girl students of the university within next few weeks to educate them on the function of the cell and the protection that the law provides to girls and women in educational institutions.

This step was being taken as most of the girl students of the university were found to be unaware of the existence of the Women’s Complaint Cell on the campus.

They came to know about its existence only after the recent controversy related to allegations of harassment against the teacher.

The complainant girl had also alleged before media that she had approached the chairperson of the cell regarding same allegations 10 months ago but to no avail.

It may be noted that the student had made written complaint that the teacher had intentionally failed her when she refused to submit to the malafide intentions of the teacher.

The VC said they wanted more participation of girl students in the activities of the cell.

The university was also thinking of bringing about reforms as per the recommendations of the Supreme Court to provide some teeth to the Women’s Complaint Cell in the university, Mr Sahu said.

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