Harassment complaint in Asiatic Society, says minister

A harassment complaint has been made by a woman employee of Asiatic Society, Kolkata, against a union leader who has since been terminated and a committee is looking into the issue, government told the Rajya Sabha today while informing about "irregularities" in the prestigious institute.
"I have accepted that there have been irregularities. The person concerned against whom complaint of harassment of a woman has been made has been terminated," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said.
"A four-member fact-finding committee has been formed under the Secretary which will look into all irregularities and inquire, including the complaint of harrassment of a woman employee. Then police action will also be initiated against the guilty," he told Rajya Sabha.

He said government is determined to set things right in the prestigious institution and has released funds.
"What philanthropic work this society is doing, it is a matter of concern for whole of the House and government is determined to set it right," he said, adding that the new Executive Council of the Asiatic Society will be elected on April 26 as the tenure of the present term will end on May 2.
In reply to a question on whether government is appointing an Administrator in view of the complaints received against the institute, Sharma in his written reply said, "At present, Government is not considering to appoint any Administrator in the Asiatic Society, Kolkata."

Asked by JD-U member Kehkasha Parvin on whether a police complaint has been filed against the union leader concerned, the Minister said, "I agree to your concern, but before registering an FIR a full inquiry should be held and it would be better that only after that an FIR is registered."

At this, the JD-U member expressed resentment and agitated saying, "This amounts to injustice with the woman as an FIR will be registered only after the committee finds out."
Sharma earlier said partially corrective steps have been initiated by the Society with regard to compliance of CAG and internal audit report.

The Minister said the members of the Council are elected by the members of the society as per the Asiatic Society Act, 1984.
"Regulations and by-laws and the learned Council members are experts from different fields like academics, administration, law etc with vast experience. The executive council meets every month," he said.