BMC hotbed of harassment
118 cases of sexual harassment reported in last 4 years.
As many as 118 cases of sexual harassment have been registered with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the last four years, 21 of them this year alone. However, the civic body has refused to give any details about the action taken in these cases, saying that it was “confidential”.
Replying to a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by activist Anil Galgali, the statistical data compiled by the grievances committee working under the Women’s Sexual Harassment Prevention panel chief and Savitribai Phule Women Resource Centre revealed that of the 118 complaints, 21 had been reported till July this year. The two bodies were formed by the civic body to prevent sexual harassment cases against women at work places.
Mr Galgali got the information from public information officer and administrative officer Rekha Kale. However, the civic body refused to give data regarding the action taken in these cases.
As per section 16 of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the information about the complainant and the person, against whom she has filed a complaint, cannot be given, as it is very confidential, said civic officials.
In a letter written to the municipal commissioner, Mr Galgali suggests that the names of officers and staff, who have been found guilty of sexual harassment by the grievances committee should be displayed on the BMC website. “This will act as a strong deterrent for the others as the fear of public shame will bring down such cases,” he said.
Out of the 16 members of the grievance committee, eight members, including president and secretary, are related to the medical field. Seven are doctors, while eighth is an administrative officer. The said committee was appointed in 2009.
Mr Galgali has demanded that postings on this committee should be there for a fixed term, so that there is no lobbying for them. It will also ensure that experience of other senior officers are utilised here, he said.