NEW DELHI — The Central Information Commission has remanded a Right to Information appeal concerning compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act across public sector banks back to the first appellate authority to ensure a fair hearing, according to reporting by The Hindu — National.
The matter stems from an application filed by Chayan Ghosh Chowdhury, who sought information regarding the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act, within state-run financial institutions.
Scrutiny Over Internal Committees
In his application, Chowdhury contended that public sector banks had failed to properly constitute Internal Committees as mandated under the POSH Act. Under the federal statute, every workplace employing 10 or more workers must establish an internal body dedicated to receiving and redressing complaints related to sexual harassment.
To substantiate his request for transparency, Chowdhury cited the Supreme Court of India's ruling in the Aureliano Fernandes vs State of Goa case. In that landmark judgment, the apex court issued comprehensive directives across government departments, organizations, and institutions to enforce strict compliance with the POSH Act, observing serious lapses in the operational readiness and constitution of internal complaints panels across the country.
Directive for a Fresh Review
After reviewing the circumstances of the appeal, the Central Information Commission directed that the matter be remitted back to the designated first appellate authority. The commission ordered the authority to conduct a fair hearing into the appeal, addressing the applicant's demands for administrative transparency regarding compliance measures inside the banks.
The decision places renewed focus on whether state-owned lenders have satisfied the legal prerequisites set forth by federal legislation and reiterated by the judiciary to safeguard female employees.
