Sexual harassment: AIR asked to modify evaluation system

A panel looking into complaints of sexual harassment at AIR FM Gold radio station has recommended that the channel should modify its evaluation system and engage independent experts for assessing performances of casual announcers and artists to avoid favouritism.
A three-member committee headed by a joint secretary was constituted earlier this month by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to look into allegations of sexual harassment at workplace made by some news presenters at FM Gold channel.
Sources said the committee has in its report submitted to I&B minister Manish Tewari suggested changes in the system under which evaluation of casual staff is carried out.

Officials said that while at present there is a largely in-house system to evaluate casual staff, the committee felt that independent, outside evaluators would remove doubts of favouritism and ensure fairness and transparency.
The committee is also learnt to have suggested for the use of biometric system so that the timings of the causal performers are scientifically monitored.
The panel is also learnt to have suggested that a proper system should be in place to resolve any issue of pick up and drop provided to casual workers.
The Committee was constituted following media reports of alleged sexual harassment at FM Gold AIR.

The committee looked into certain specific allegations and also into issues relating to safety at workplace of women employees working in FM Gold channel.