Question : SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE IN NGRI

(a) whether any complaints of sexual harassment have been received against the officials of National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad during the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise and the action taken against the officials in this regard;

(c) whether women employees who have levelled sexual harassment charges against some high ranking officials of NGRI are being pressurized to withdraw their complaints; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to order an impartial investigation in this matter and to give women employees a sense of safety and security at work places?

MINISTER OF STATE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) One complaint of sexual harassment was received on 22.08.2014 from Dr. (Mrs.) Shuchismita Benjwal, Lady Medical Officer, CSIR-NGRI Dispensary against Dr. V. Venugopala Rao, Resident Medical Officer, CSIR-NGRI Dispensary.

In the absence of regular Director and Disciplinary Authority at CSIR-NGRI, the Competent Authority nominated Dr. K. Lakshmi Kantam, Director, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad as the Ad-hoc Disciplinary Authority who constituted a Complaints Committee as per rules to inquire into the matter.

The Complaints Committee conducted detailed enquiry into the matter and submitted its report to the Ad-hoc Disciplinary Authority. The findings of the Committee revealed that the allegations of sexual harassment had no substance and were devoid of proof. Hence, the Ad-hoc Disciplinary Authority absolved Dr. Venugopala Rao of all the charges.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) The Complaints Committee had been constituted as per rules & instructions on the subject to look into the case impartially. The GoI instructions on the subject are in place to give women employees a sense of safety and security at work place.