Bengaluru: As incidents of sexual harassment of women being reported regularly in the city, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has formed women committees in every depot and division in the state. The committee will handle issues of sexual harassment of women conductors, mechanics and drivers of KSRTC.
“Till now, we had committees at the centre and divisional levels. For a woman from Davanagere depot to complain, she had to go to Sagar division. Moreover, they were also hesitant to speak out against their seniors," said Mr Rajendar Kumar Kataria, Managing Director, KSRTC.
“To counter this, all-woman committees will be formed at all 79 depots, of which five are in Bengaluru. This will benefit 3,000 women employees of KSRTC. This Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) will have special powers that any senior officer or even MD cannot overpower," said Ms T.S Latha, PRO of KSRTC.
Once a woman employee files a complaint, immediate action is mandatory and the maximum time limit is 30 days. If the accused is proven guilty, he will be suspended. An inquiry will be conducted by retired district judges, who will mete out the punishment.
Soon after the suspension, the accused is also transferred from that place to avoid the victim from encountering the aggressor. The woman will also be given the option of transfer.
The process of inquiry and punishment should be completed within 60 days and it should also rule whether the man should be dismissed or not. The committee should meet once in three months, whether there is a complaint or not.
The committee, set up on December 16, was started with 4-5 women in each committee. So far, two accused male employees have been transferred, three have been suspended and one dismissed.
