Lok Sabha Question No. 3048 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-22
Subject: Implementation of POSH Act, 2012
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram, Anto  Antony, Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Behanan Benny, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3048

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  MARCH, 2022/ CHAITRA 1, 1944 (SAKA)

IMPLEMENTATION OF POSH ACT, 2012

3048.

SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  measures  have  been  taken  to  begin  the  establishment  of  allwomen police stations in every State;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor, State-wise;
- (c)  whether  any  additional  measures  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to ensure that female police officers do not face workplace sexual harassment in stations;
- (d)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  has  ensured  implementation  of  the Protection  of  Women  from  Sexual  Harassment  (POSH)  Act,  2012  in  all  police stations; and
- (e)  the  manner in which the Government is ensuring that women in the police force are given the same opportunities as their male counter-parts?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a)  and  (b):  "Police"  and  "Public  order"  are  state  subjects  as  per  the  Seventh

Schedule  to  the  Constitution of India.  Maintaining  law and order, protection of

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 3048 FOR 22.03.2022

life and property of citizens are the responsibility of the respective States/ Union Territories  and  they  are  competent  to  deal  with  all  matters  relating  to  these subjects under the extant provisions of laws, including setting up of all women police stations. Information on steps taken by the States/ UTs in this regard are not maintained centrally.

(c)  and  (d):  The  Sexual  Harassment  of  Women  at  Workplace  (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is applicable on all work places, including police stations. The responsibility of implementation of the said Act at State and District levels rests with the appropriate Government, i.e. the respective States/ Union Territories. Details are not maintained centrally.

The Central Armed Police Forces are fully compliant in the implementation of the Sexual Harassment  of Women  at  Workplace  (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

(e): While States/ Union Territories implement police reforms measures, including improvement of gender balance in police, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued advisories to the States/UTs to strengthen welfare measures such  as  provisioning  of  housing  and  medical  facilities  and  other  necessary facilities  for  women  police  personnel  in  Police  stations.  As  per  available information, several States/Union Territories have set up Police  Women Commando Units breaking the gender barrier.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 3048 FOR 22.03.2022

Similarly,  in  the  Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (CAPFs),  women  representation has increased. In order to attract talented women from all parts and segments of the country to join the forces, application fee is exempted for women candidates in  recruitment. Creches/ Day-Care centres have been provided in CAPFs. Same opportunities are being made available to the women officers of CAPFs, e.g. in the  Central  Industrial  Security  Forces  women  officers  play  a  critical  role  in guarding  vital  installations  like  airports  and  government  infrastructure  and women  personnel  have  been  inducted  into  the  specialised  jungle  warfare commando force by the Central Reserve Police Forces.

***