INTERNAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE 

An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is a committee established to address complaints related to sexual harassment or any other form of discrimination, harassment, or misconduct in the workplace or educational environment. It is mandated by law, particularly under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 in India, to ensure that institutions take steps to prevent and address issues related to sexual harassment and create a safe, respectful working or learning environment for everyone. The ICC plays a critical role in ensuring Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology (PRIST) Deemed to be University is safe and free from harassment, discrimination, and misconduct, while also promoting a respectful and inclusive culture. 

Key Objectives of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC): 

  1. Preventing Sexual Harassment and Misconduct: One of the primary objectives of the ICC is to create awareness within the University about sexual harassment and misconduct, promoting an environment where everyone feels safe and respected. 
  2. Redressal of Complaints: The ICC acts as a grievance redressal mechanism for complaints related to sexual harassment. It receives complaints, investigates them, and takes necessary actions in accordance with organizational policies and legal requirements. 
  3. Ensuring Confidentiality: The ICC ensures that all complaints are dealt with in a confidential and discreet manner to protect the privacy and dignity of the complainant. This helps in encouraging victims to come forward without the fear of retribution or embarrassment. 
  4. Providing Support to Victims: The committee provides emotional, psychological, and legal support to the complainant throughout the investigation and resolution process.  
  5. Facilitating a Safe Environment: The ICC plays an essential role in ensuring that the University maintains an atmosphere that is free from harassment and discrimination. It helps ensure that all individuals, particularly women, are able to work or study without fear of harassment or any form of abuse. 
  6. Promoting Gender Equality: The committee works towards fostering gender equality in the University by addressing issues that might create an unequal or unsafe environment, such as gender-based harassment or discrimination. 
  7. Encouraging Accountability: The ICC holds individuals accountable for their actions by conducting thorough investigations and recommending appropriate disciplinary actions if the accused is found guilty. This ensures that there are consequences for such behavior. 

Importance of the Internal Complaints Committee: 

  • Safe Environment: The ICC ensures that both employees and students feel safe, supported, and protected from harassment, helping to foster a conducive learning or working environment. 
  • Legal Compliance: It ensures that the Unversity complies with the legal requirements set out by the relevant laws (like the Sexual Harassment Act) to protect against workplace or educational harassment. 
  • Encouraging Reporting: With a confidential and trustworthy mechanism in place, the ICC encourages more victims to come forward and report incidents of harassment. 
  • Gender Sensitivity: The committee helps in addressing gender-based issues and promoting gender equality in the University. 

 

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL COMMITTEE 

The Grievance Redressal Committee of Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology (PRIST) Deemed to be University addresses and resolves complaints or grievances raised by students. The primary goal of the committee is to ensure that students have a platform where they can express their concerns and receive timely, fair, and effective solutions. This helps in maintaining a positive and supportive learning environment within the institution. 

Key Objectives of the Grievance Redressal Committee: 

  1. Addressing Student Concerns: The committee serves as an outlet for students to voice their complaints regarding various aspects of campus life, including academic issues, faculty behavior, administrative concerns, infrastructure, or any other grievances that affect their educational experience. 
  2. Promoting a Healthy Campus Environment: The committee aims to ensure that students can express their concerns freely and that there is a fair, transparent, and effective process for resolving grievances. This contributes to a peaceful and respectful atmosphere in the institution. 
  3. Ensuring Timely Resolution: One of the main objectives is to ensure that complaints are addressed promptly, preventing issues from escalating and negatively impacting the students’ well-being and academic performance. 
  4. Providing Support and Assistance: The committee is responsible for offering support to students throughout the grievance process, including guidance on how to file a complaint and what to expect during the resolution process. It may also offer counseling services to help students cope with the emotional or psychological impact of their grievances. 
  5. Encouraging Transparency and Accountability: By addressing grievances in an impartial and transparent manner, the committee promotes accountability among the institution’s staff and ensures that corrective actions are taken when necessary. 
  6. Ensuring Legal and Ethical Compliance: The grievance committee ensures that all issues raised are dealt with in accordance with institutional policies and legal requirements. It also helps protect students’ rights and upholds ethical standards in the institution. 

Types of Grievances Addressed: 

  • Academic Issues: Complaints related to unfair grading, issues with course content, faculty behavior, or the overall learning experience. 
  • Faculty and Staff Behavior: Concerns regarding improper conduct, biased treatment, harassment, or unprofessional behavior by teachers or staff members. 
  • Administrative Issues: Delays or inefficiencies in administrative processes such as registration, fees, hostel allocation, or access to facilities. 
  • Infrastructure Problems: Grievances related to the physical infrastructure of the institution, such as inadequate classroom facilities, poor quality of hostel accommodations, lack of clean water, broken equipment, or safety concerns. 
  • Examination-related Complaints: Issues related to examination procedures, results, discrepancies in evaluation, or non-availability of resources. 
  • Behavioral and Social Issues: Problems such as ragging, bullying, discrimination, or harassment (including sexual harassment). 

Importance of the Grievance Redressal Committee: 

  • Student Welfare: The committee promotes the well-being of students by providing them with an opportunity to voice their concerns and resolve issues that could negatively affect their academic and personal life. 
  • Improved Institutional Environment: By addressing grievances, the committee contributes to improving the overall atmosphere of the institution, fostering a culture of fairness, respect, and transparency. 
  • Prevention of Escalation: The grievance redressal mechanism ensures that problems are addressed early on, preventing minor issues from escalating into major conflicts that could affect the student community or the institution’s reputation. 
  • Enhanced Trust and Satisfaction: A well-functioning grievance committee helps build trust between students and the administration, as students feel their concerns are being taken seriously. It also increases student satisfaction, which is crucial for the institution’s overall success.