Following the promulgation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013, the Government of India on 19.11.2014, notified the amendments to Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 and Classification, Control and Appeal Rules, 1965.

1. The following guidelines, conveying the decision of the Committee of Secretaries on this subject, were issued:
2. The complaints committee mechanism provided under Vishakha guidelines relating to sexual harassment should be strictly in accordance with the judgment and steps should be taken to ensure that the committee is effective and functional at all times.
3. Committees to meet once a quarter and review preparedness to fulfil all requirements of the Vishakha judgment in the organization concerned.
4. The Complaints Committee shall at all times be in existence and changes in its composition, whenever necessary, should be made promptly and adequately publicized.
5. The Ministries/Departments are invited to report requirements mentioned in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013.

All Ministries/ Departments are requested to please review the progress of implementation of the existing above mentioned guidelines issued in the aftermath of the Vishakha judgment.

To view the Office Memorandum dated 2^nd February, 2015.

– Esha Shah, Paralegal