Lok Sabha Question No. 2801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-15
Subject: Harassment of Female Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU, OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2801 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2016

Harassment of Female Sportspersons

2801. SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU: SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  regarding physical or psychological harassment of female portspersons/coaches from various sports institutions across the country, if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year; and
- (b) the details of the action taken on each of these complaints along with the measures taken by the Government in orderto prevent such cases in the future?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) & (b):  Yes,  Madam.    During  the  last  three  years  there  were complaints of sexual harassment for which details with action taken is as follows :-
- The  following  measures  have  been  put  in  position  in  all  SAI Centres: 1. Posting  of  full  time  lady  warden  in  SAI  Centres  having female trainees. 2. Round  the  clock  security  arrangement  for  regular  watch and ward of the Centre. 3. Incharge,  SAI  Sports  Centres  and  coaches  have  been advised to be more vigilant and sensitive towards the concerns of the female trainees. 4. Yoga has been introduced as a compulsory activity in SAI Sports  Centres  and  part  time  Yoga  Teachers/Instructors  have  been engaged to ensure holistic development and emotional well being of the trainees. Regular meeting to be held with the parents of both boys and girls trainees by the Centre Incharge and boys & girls trainees by
5. the Centre Incharge and coaches.
6. A  24  x  7  helpline  for  SAI  trainees  for  redressel  of  their grievances specially for reporting cases of sexual harassment, ragging etc.

|   Sl. No | Name of the Official   | Charge     | Date of receipt of complaint   | Status                                                    |
|----------|------------------------|------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Indian Shooting        | Harassment | June, 2013                     | NRAI has banned one athlete for a period of one year, one |

|    | Team Mates in Germany                                              |                                                               |                | upto the next National Championship or six months, whichever is earlier, and one athlete for one international championship. Letter of reprimand was also issued to six other athletes. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has debarred shooters, suspended by NRAI from participating in any future National Coaching Camp during the period of their suspension. Apart from this, the shooters have also been debarred from using the existing Range facilities of SAI in Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in New Delhi during the suspension   |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  2 | Shri Satvir Singh, Wrestling Coach, STC, Hissar                    | Sexual harassment of female Wrestling trainees of STC, Hissar | 30.01.2014     | STC (Complaint Committee on sexual harassment) has made out prima-facie case. Therefore, charge sheet is being issued.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|  3 | Shri K.B. Singh, Athletic Coach, Kandivali under NSWC, Gandhinagar | Sexual harassment of female athletes of the Centre            | 16.02.2014     | The SHC of the SAI Western Centre has submitted interim report dated 12.11.2014 through Director (I/C) NSWC vide letter No.1/PF/305/NSWC/2014/8796 dated 25.11.2014. Final report awaited.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|  4 | Shri O. Chobha Singh,                                              | Sexual harassment of female                                   | September 2014 | On the basis of inquiry report, Disciplinary Authority has passed the order of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

|    | Athletic Coach, Imphal                   | athletes of the Centre                        |            | compulsory retirement dated 12.10.2015 vide order No.1422/CD/SAI/2014/2898. Accordingly, Shri Singh was relieved from SAI w.e.f. 12.10.2015 vide office order dated 26.10.2015 of Director (I/C) NERC, Guwahati. However, he has appealed against penalty of compulsory retirement which is under submission to Appellate Board.   |
|----|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  5 | Susanta Ray Athletic Coach, STC, Cuttack | Sexual harassment Complaint by female athlete | 07.10.2015 | Coach is placed under suspension and inquiry is initiated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

SAI  has  also  taken  up  the  matter  with  Ministry  of  Women  and Child Development, regarding formulation of guidelines for 'Protection of  Children  in  Sports'  as  well  for  the  various  categories  of  Support Personnel  who  assist  the  trainees  during  their  training  programme. Accordingly, Ministry of Women and Child Development has assigned the job to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to prepare comprehensive guidelines, which have since been received.

Further, with a view to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedure for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of cases of sexual harassment of women in sports and to promote a healthy environment in sport, Government has issued instructions to all National Sports Federations including Indian Olympic  Association  on  12.08.2010,  inter-alia,  to  take  appropriate measures to prevent sexual harassment of women in sports including setting up a mechanism for redressal of complaints with a committee headed  by  a  woman,  or  a  special  counselor,  whilst  adhering  to  the principle of confidentiality. The complaints regarding sexual harassment, received in the past, have been referred to the concerned organizations to take action in the light of the aforesaid instructions and as per the provisions under other relevant laws on the subject.

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