Even after the University Grant Commission (UGC) order in 2010 to have proper women’s grievance redressal cell at every college and at university level, Ranchi University (RU) women’s grievance redressal cell members crave for proper office setup to resolve cases related to students welfare and to provide safe environment to females on college campus premises.
Notably, in 2012, RU had decided to make separate women cell for settling down complaints. Though a separate room has been also allotted for establishing the unit at RU administrative block but even after five years, the cell is yet to be properly equipped with all basic amenities.
“Though we have been allotted separate room in the main campus but it is not equipped with basic amenities which often create hurdles in solving the cases. However, all the cases are disposed on time,” said, Head of the women’s grievance redressal cell at RU, Dr. Saraswati Mishra.
As per UGC guidelines, every college and university campuses must have separate women’s grievance redressal cell and anti ragging unit to monitor the cases related to eve teasing, stalking, assault, ragging etc. It is also mandatory for getting funds and is one of the criteria for getting NAAC accreditation done. Presently, six members are associated with RU women’s grievance redressal cell that includes the post of a Chairperson and a Secretary.
Though only few cases are registered with the women cell at university level but proper setup must be ensured by the university officers, claimed, Mishra. “As each college has the provision of separate women’s grievance redressal cell, only some cases are forwarded at university level but due to the lack of proper office, we are unable to maintain the case records,” added Mishra.
However, RU Dean Student Welfare, Dr. SC Gupta has claimed to provide a separate office to the members of women cell within a month. “A separate office will be provided to the elected members of women’s grievance redressal cell but due to some renovation work at administrative block, we were unable to hand over the proper setup to the members. By March end, a separate room with all basic facilities will be given to the cell members at administrative block,” Gupta said.
Despite, organising awareness campaigns, knowledge based programmes time and again related to women atrocities; several cases go unreported as numerous girls are unaware about the presence of women’s grievance redressal cell at university and college level.