Shillong, Sept 28: The East Khasi Hills district administration has reconstituted its Local Committee under Section 6(1) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The committee will handle sexual harassment complaints from workers in establishments where an Internal Committee has not been constituted because the workplace has fewer than 10 employees. It will also deal with complaints against employers.
Smti. D. Kharshiing, Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, has been appointed chairperson. The committee includes Smti. Ebhamiki War Pakyntein, Law Officer, Shillong Municipal Board, as the legal representative member.
The NGO and civil society members are Mayfereen Ryntathiang, president of Grassroot Shillong, and Rebina Subba, founder-chairperson of Shamakami NGO.
Dr. Shannon N. Sangma, Assistant Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, and Olivia C. Nongbri, District Social Welfare Officer, will serve as ex-officio members.
The district administration has also appointed Block Development Officers from 11 C&RD blocks as nodal officers to ensure coverage across the district. The blocks include Mylliem, Mawphlang, Mawsynram, Mawryngkneng, Mawkynrew, Pynursla, Shella-Bholaganj, Khatarshnong Laitkroh, Sohiong, Mawpat and Mawlai.The chairperson and members will
hold office for a maximum of three years from the date of their appointment.
The reconstitution is aimed at strengthening the mechanism for receiving and addressing workplace sexual harassment complaints, particularly for workers in establishments without an Internal Committee.
