Odisha Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida, announced that colleges that fail to establish Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) will face salary suspensions for the concerned authorities.
Speaking to the media, Parida emphasised, “We have set a strict target—within the next one month, every college in the state must form its ICC Committee. Failure to comply will lead to withholding of salaries.”
The ICC, mandated under UGC regulations, plays a crucial role in handling complaints of sexual harassment and fostering safe learning environments. This directive is expected to fast-track long-pending committee formations, particularly in colleges lagging behind in compliance.
The Deputy CM further stated that action will be taken against individuals found guilty of lodging false complaints, reiterating the government’s commitment to both protection and justice.
Officials from the Department of Higher Education have confirmed that monitoring mechanisms are being put in place to track compliance and evaluate committee functionality.
With the new directive, Odisha joins a growing list of states prioritising institutional grievance redressal frameworks and gender-sensitive governance in educational institutions.
