Sexual Harassment Bill, 2013

image from THE INDIAN EXPRESS

• It was passed by the Lok Sabha on 3 September 2012.
• It was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 26, 2013.
• The Bill got the assent of the President on 23 April 2013.

Salient features of the Bill:

1. The Bill provides protection not only to women who are employed but also to any woman who enters the workplace as a client, customer, apprentice, and daily wageworker or in ad-hoc capacity.
2. Students, research scholars in colleges/university and patients in hospitals have also been covered.
3. Bill seeks to cover workplaces in the unorganised sectors.
4. The Bill proposes a definition of sexual harassment, which is as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997). 
5. The Bill provides for an effective complaints and redressal mechanism.
6. Employers who fail to comply with the provisions of the proposed Bill will be punishable with a fine which may extend to 50,000. 
7. The Complaint Committees are required to complete the enquiry within 90 days and a period of 60 days                                                              
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