Awareness Session on POSH Act, UGC Regulations Held at GGM Science College Jammu
Jammu, May 12 (PTK): An awareness lecture session on the “Implementation of POSH Act, 2013 and UGC Regulations, 2015 in Colleges and Universities” was organised on Monday at GGM Science College by the Sexual Harassment Probe Committee of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Jammu Wing, in collaboration with the Apex Body of SPARSH of Cluster University of Jammu.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Justice Sindhu Sharma and under the patronage of Vice Chancellor K. S. Chandrasekar with the objective of spreading awareness regarding legal provisions related to prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment at workplaces and educational institutions.
The event witnessed participation from faculty members, administrative officers, Internal Committee members, research scholars, students and representatives of constituent colleges of the university.
Registrar Cluster University Jammu Ankur Mahajan attended the programme as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, the Registrar stressed the importance of creating a safe, secure and gender-sensitive academic environment in educational institutions. She said strict implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act, along with compliance with UGC Regulations 2015, is essential to ensure dignity, equality and protection for women at workplaces and campuses.
The programme was coordinated by Vandana Khajuria, who highlighted the importance of continuous sensitisation programmes for promoting awareness about legal safeguards and responsibilities under the POSH framework.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Sonia Gupta, who elaborated on the objectives and salient features of the POSH Act, including constitution and functioning of Internal Committees, inquiry procedures, confidentiality provisions and institutional responsibilities.
The resource person also discussed judicial pronouncements and practical challenges in implementation of the law. Special emphasis was laid on the UGC Regulations 2015 concerning prevention and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions.
During the interactive session, participants raised queries regarding complaint handling procedures, safeguards against victimisation, rights of complainants and the role of institutional authorities in ensuring fair inquiries.
The Secretary of the High Court Legal Services Committee, Jammu, who attended the event as Ex-Officio Member Secretary and Presenting Officer of the Sexual Harassment Probe Committee, also highlighted the role of Legal Services Authorities in providing legal aid and remedies available under the POSH Act and UGC Regulations.
The organisers reiterated their commitment towards strengthening institutional awareness and ensuring strict compliance with laws relating to prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces and educational institutions.(PTK)
