Overview

• On July 18, Odisha’s higher and school education departments ordered all colleges and schools to display Women Helpline 181 at prominent campus locations
• Universities and colleges must immediately comply with the 2013 POSH Act and UGC anti-harassment regulations
• All educational institutions are required to conduct sensitisation workshops on POSH provisions for students and staff within three days and report completion details to the government
• Since July 14, state directives have called for the formation of internal complaints committees, time-bound inquiries and annual transparency reports under POSH guidelines
• The Biju Janata Dal will picket Revenue Divisional Commissioners’ offices on July 21 to press for deeper accountability and reforms