Himachal Pradesh CM pledges confidentiality for women harassment complaints

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the State Assembly that complaints regarding the harassment of women will be handled with strict confidentiality and thorough investigation. The Chief Minister noted that rules governing such matters would be revised to encourage victims to speak up about grievances.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil reported that 131 harassment complaints have been filed across government, private, and educational institutions over the last three years. Action has been taken in 37 of these cases, resulting in three dismissals from service, one major penalty, one suspension, and nine transfers. Additionally, two FIRs were registered, two charge-sheets were filed, and 19 cases were settled through warnings and written apologies.

The government has designated the Directorate of Women and Child Development as the nodal agency, with deputy commissioners serving as district-level officers. The SHe-Box portal is also being utilized to allow working women to lodge confidential complaints under the POSH Act, 2013.