The Odisha government has announced that higher education institutions failing to establish an Internal Committee (IC) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, also known as the POSH Act, will be barred from admitting students through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) for the 2026-27 academic session. This directive was issued on Thursday by the state's higher education department.
Mandatory Compliance for All Institutions
The order applies to all government, aided, and unaided colleges, as well as public and private universities, including deemed institutions. For colleges operating outside the SAMS framework, universities have been instructed to withhold permission for examinations until compliance is ensured. The department warned that non-compliance would result in restrictions on both admissions and examinations.
Role of Internal Committee
Under the POSH Act, an Internal Committee (formerly known as the Internal Complaints Committee) is required to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, provide redressal, and ensure compliance with the Act. The department emphasized that colleges admitting students through SAMS must have a functional IC in place.
Uneven Compliance and Enforcement
In a letter issued by Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak, the department noted that compliance with the formation of ICs and their effective functioning remains uneven across higher education institutes. Regional Directors of Education have been tasked with ensuring 100% compliance and initiating action, including issuing notices for cancellation of recognition, in case of violations. The order also mandates all ICs to submit annual reports to the respective Local Complaints Committees within the prescribed timeline, with copies to the Regional Directors.
Safety and Security Guidelines
Apart from institutional compliance, the department has laid out detailed guidelines to ensure safety and security for women employees and students. These include:
- Adequate lighting across campuses
- Elimination of dark or isolated areas
- Installation of CCTV cameras in common spaces without violating privacy norms
- Deployment of sufficient security personnel, including women staff where feasible
Higher education institutes have been instructed to provide dedicated, confidential spaces for IC proceedings, maintain proper records, and extend necessary support, including counselling, to complainants.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The department warned that failure to comply with these directions may invite stringent action, including withdrawal or cancellation of institutional recognition. This move aims to strengthen the implementation of the POSH Act across all higher education institutions in Odisha, ensuring a safe and secure environment for women.
