Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Dec 30: “To ensure greater safety and security for women  in the universities, a grievance cell will be set up in every educational institution across the state”, said CT Ravi, higher education minister, government of Karnataka, here in the press meet on Saturday December 29.

Addressing the reporters, he said, “In the backdrop of the recent brutal gang-rape and the subsequent death of the para-medical intern in Delhi and rising violence against women, such policy in education institutions is necessary to ensure protection of women”.

“Justice delayed is justice denied”, Ravi quoted. He recommended need for changes in judiciary dealing with the cases of women atrocities, pointing at the brutal gang rape case in Delhi.

“According to the newly designed policy, a compulsory grievance cell will be set up in each educational institution to safeguard women’s security. The body consists of principal, female representatives of student’s union, senior women lecturers and members of non-teaching women staff. At least once in a week the body will meet together to discuss about the issues regarding the safety of women and complaints”, he said briefing the guidelines of the policy.

Each institution should also put up ‘complaint box’ to help the female students to raise their voice against violence.

Every educational institutions should ensure safety of women from ‘campus to hostel’ and 'campus to house’, he said."Moral and value education will be imparted to students by guides and resource persons to educate the students as per the policy”, he added.

In regard to the enforcement of cells for the welfare and safety of women, a meeting will be held with the vice chancellors of all the universities in the state and senior higher education officials next week (Dec 31 or Jan 5), he said.

Commenting on investigatation of Sowjanya’s murder, minister said, “Investigation is still going on and inquiry will not be stopped".  He added, "I have asked the department to investigate in all the sides of the case and we are looking for evidences”, he said.

Monappa Bhandary and Shrikar Prabhu were present at the press meet.