Odisha sets up sexual harassment cell for colleges

The Odisha government today constituted a state level cell to deal with allegations of sexual harassment in educational institutions including government colleges, non-government aided colleges and self-financing colleges, official sources said.
According to an official order issued by the Higher Education Department, Nibedita Jena, Director of Text Book Bureau, has been appointed as the chairperson of the cell while, Nibedita Prusty, deputy secretary in the Higher Education department and Debajani Dhal, under secretary in the same department, have been nominated as members.
The cell will inquire into all allegations of sexual harassment in government colleges, non-government aided colleges and self financing colleges of the state, the order said.

After conducting inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, the cell will recommend suitable actions to the principal secretary of the department, it added.