(a) whether the Government has received complaints regarding physical or psychological harassment of female portspersons/coaches from various sports institutions across the country, if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year; and
(b) the details of the action taken on each of these complaints along with the measures taken by the Government in orderto prevent such cases in the future?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. During the last three years there were complaints of sexual harassment for which details with action taken is as follows :-
<pre>Sl.No
Name of the Official
Charge
Date of receipt of complaint
Status
01.
Indian Shooting
Harassment
June, 2013
NRAI has banned one athlete for a period of one year, one
Team Mates in Germany
upto the next National Championship or six months, whichever is earlier, and one athlete for one international championship. Letter of reprimand was also issued to six other athletes.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) has debarred shooters, suspended by NRAI from participating in any future National Coaching Camp during the period of their suspension. Apart from this, the shooters have also been debarred from using the existing Range facilities of SAI in Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in New Delhi during the suspension period.
02.
Shri Satvir Singh, Wrestling Coach, STC, Hissar
Sexual harassment of female Wrestling trainees of STC, Hissar
30.01.2014
STC (Complaint Committee on sexual harassment) has made out prima-facie case. Therefore, charge sheet is being issued.
03.
Shri K.B. Singh, Athletic Coach, Kandivali under NSWC, Gandhinagar
Sexual harassment of female athletes of the Centre
16.02.2014
The SHC of the SAI Western Centre has submitted interim report dated 12.11.2014 through Director (I/C) NSWC vide letter No.1/PF/305/NSWC/2014/8796 dated 25.11.2014. Final report awaited.
04.
Shri O. Chobha Singh,
Sexual harassment of female
September
2014
On the basis of inquiry report, Disciplinary Authority has passed the order of
Athletic Coach, Imphal
athletes of the Centre
compulsory retirement dated 12.10.2015 vide order No.1422/CD/SAI/2014/2898. Accordingly, Shri Singh was relieved from SAI w.e.f. 12.10.2015 vide office order dated 26.10.2015 of Director (I/C) NERC, Guwahati. However, he has appealed against penalty of compulsory retirement which is under submission to Appellate Board.
05.
Susanta Ray
Athletic Coach,
STC, Cuttack
Sexual harassment
Complaint by female athlete
07.10.2015
Coach is placed under suspension and inquiry is initiated.</pre>
The following measures have been put in position in all SAI Centres: -
1. Posting of full time lady warden in SAI Centres having female trainees.
2. Round the clock security arrangement for regular watch and ward of the Centre.
3. Incharge, SAI Sports Centres and coaches have been advised to be more vigilant and sensitive towards the concerns of the female trainees.
4. Yoga has been introduced as a compulsory activity in SAI Sports Centres and part time Yoga Teachers/Instructors have been engaged to ensure holistic development and emotional well being of the trainees.
5. Regular meeting to be held with the parents of both boys and girls trainees by the Centre Incharge and boys & girls trainees by the Centre Incharge and coaches.
6. A 24 x 7 helpline for SAI trainees for redressel of their grievances specially for reporting cases of sexual harassment, ragging etc.
SAI has also taken up the matter with Ministry of Women and Child Development, regarding formulation of guidelines for ‘Protection of Children in Sports’ as well for the various categories of Support Personnel who assist the trainees during their training programme. Accordingly, Ministry of Women and Child Development has assigned the job to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to prepare comprehensive guidelines, which have since been received.
Further, with a view to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedure for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of cases of sexual harassment of women in sports and to promote a healthy environment in sport, Government has issued instructions to all National Sports Federations including Indian Olympic Association on 12.08.2010, inter-alia, to take appropriate measures to prevent sexual harassment of women in sports including setting up a mechanism for redressal of complaints with a committee headed by a woman, or a special counselor, whilst adhering to the principle of confidentiality. The complaints regarding sexual harassment, received in the past, have been referred to the concerned organizations to take action in the light of the aforesaid instructions and as per the provisions under other relevant laws on the subject.
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