In a decisive move prompted by the recent Balasore incident, the Government of Odisha’s Higher Education Department has issued an urgent directive on July 14, 2025, mandating all state public, private universities, and government/aided/un-aided degree colleges to comply with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
Signed by Deputy Director Rajata Kumar Mansingh, OES(I), the order demands the immediate constitution of Internal Committees (ICs) within 24 hours to address sexual harassment cases.
The directive references earlier communications and requires institutions to submit compliance details, ensuring adequate representation of women in ICs as per Section 4 of the Act.
Colleges and universities must display IC members’ names and contact numbers prominently, upload these details to the HIMMS portal, and organise sensitisation workshops on the Act for students and faculty.
A geo-tagged photograph of the IC display location must also be uploaded to a specified Google Drive link.
This swift action underscores the government’s commitment to creating a safe educational environment following the alarming Balasore incident. Non-compliance may lead to strict action, emphasising the urgency of the matter.
