Mysuru: Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSCW) chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary Friday warned that action will be taken against employers who fail to establish an internal complaints committee (ICC), which is mandatory in workplaces with over 10 employees.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru after a review meeting at regional commissioner’s office, she said the commission had received two complaints of workplace harassment and directed labour department officials to look into the issues and take necessary action.Citing one complaint, Nagalakshmi said a woman employee who had received the ‘best employee’ award for four years was targeted and harassed after she raised a complaint against a colleague. She was also not paid her salary on time, she said.Explaining the ICC structure, she said it is a legal body with 50% women members and headed by a woman employee. All institutions, establishments, hotels, resorts, homestays, restaurants and workplaces must constitute an ICC and hold meetings once every three months to review cases of workplace harassment. She said DCs have been directed to initiate action against employers who have not formed an ICC.On another issue, Nagalakshmi said that after a class 9 student delivered a baby boy in a hostel, health check-ups for girl inmates have been made mandatory. Girls’ hostels attached to high schools must conduct medical examinations once every three months, and all hostel authorities must strictly follow this, she said.The commission, which held a review of complaints Friday, received 150 complaints.Meanwhile, at a public hearing at Chamundeshwari Hall in the office, Nagalakshmi stressed the need for women to be treated with respect at police stations. Women should feel confident approaching police stations without fear, and if they encounter inappropriate behaviour, they must report it to senior officers, she said.She added that Posh committees exist in both govt and private institutions and should meet once every three months to review implementation.Mysuru police commissioner Seema Latkar said the department had organised several programmes for women’s safety. “If girls face any harassment, they should immediately contact the nearest police station. For their protection, the police department’s ‘Akka Pade’ vehicle patrols mainly around colleges and troubled areas. The ‘Vimukti’ initiative was implemented to curb drug use and trafficking in Mysuru city. Since 2023, the crime rate in the city has decreased,” she said. Public cooperation is essential to prevent criminal activities, she added.ADC P Shivaraju was present.
