Maha govt to set up anti-harassment cells in edu institutions

Maharashtra government has decided to set up anti-harassment cells in all schools and colleges of the state to address the grievances of girls and women.
Redressal cells will be set up in all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools and colleges of the state, where children as well as staff members will be able to file complaints about any kind of harassment, according to a recently issued Government Resolution (GR).
"The education officers of all zila parishads in the state are directed to assist every school and college in setting up the cells at the earliest. Information gathered through these cells should be passed across to the directors of education of the respective district who will then pass it across to the state government," the GR said.

Notably, a Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari Committee was set up by the state government in 2010 to suggest measures to curb atrocities against women and reduce crime rate.
The committee, which comprised of senior women political leaders, social activists and bureaucrats, had suggested setting up of anti-harassment cells, where women could register their complaints.
The state government's decision comes after the Bombay High Court had on December 18 last year observed that no useful purpose would be served in setting up committees and panels to suggest ways and means to curb crimes against women, unless their recommendations are accepted.
The bench, headed by Justice Abhay Oka, had suggested that the government should consider implementing the Dharmadhikari panel's suggestions at the earliest.