Have told VCs to set up Vishaka committees in all departmens in Nagpur: Neelam Gorhe

NAGPUR: Deputy chairperson of legislative council Neelam Gorhe said media must take up awareness campaigns on bills scheduled to be tabled during assembly session so that citizens too can share their views with their respective legislators.
“If media can write extensively about the bills and highlight what the proposed law or the amendment to an existing law means for citizens, it will be beneficial. This way not only the citizens can get involved and but also reach out to their public representatives and share their views. Apart from this, even the new legislators can get a more rounded-off view of the issue,” said Gorhe.
During her visit to TOI’s office on Saturday evening she talked about various issues from controversies at Nagpur university to safety of women in state.

Responding to media concerns over ‘quality debate’ not happening in legislature and complaints about not enough time being given to all, Gorhe said it’s important to understand the administrative process.
“Time for discussion and debate is finite. We have to divide time for both the government and opposition benches so that all are heard. Sometimes bulk of the allotted time is used by the senior most leaders and we have to do time management. In both houses we always endeavour to get all voices heard. But, speaking effectively in a short time is also a skill,” said Gorhe.
Speaking on Nagpur University’s case of alleged extortion charges against former mass communication head Dharmesh Dhawankar, Gorhe said vice chancellor Subhash Chaudhari met her to inform about progress in the investigations against the accused. “They have set up a panel under retired judge Ajay Chafle.”
She had already directed VCs of all Maharashtra to set up Vishaka Committees in all their departments to keep a tab on sexual and mental harassment cases against the girls and women. “The one-stop centres set up by police should be located in every locality like post offices to detect and prevent crimes against women. Currently, only one such centre is there in every city, where the women get entire help. I had also asked VCs to start safe campus movement in all their colleges. I will be conducting an online meeting of all VCs in January.”
On the Shakti Act, she said she had requested chief minister Eknath Shinde during the Business Advisory Council (BAC) meeting to speak to home minister Amit Shah to clear the objections and send it to the President for signature.
As she occupies a constitutional post, Gorhe did not comment on political issues like Saturday’s morcha in Mumbai by Maha Vikas Aghadi members where a demand was made for governor BS Koshiyari’s ouster over certain statements. When asked if the house may consider passing a resolution to ensure that unwanted statements are not made on historical icons, Gorhe said “I think it also needs to be seen why certain statements are being made. Whether it’s part of a conspiracy or are they being said deliberately.”
On the issue of complaints that third gender groups “harass and extort” huge amounts from wedding venues, Gorhe said a more holistic view needs to be taken. “We have to take care of all citizens and understand the issue at a deeper level. Maybe the government can constitute a board to look into third-gender citizen issues,” said Gorhe.
Gorhe used to regularly raise the issue of starvation deaths in Melghat when she was in the opposition. “The issues still persist there due to extreme poverty, lack of knowledge and dependency on the government. They have to struggle really hard even for getting an Aadhar card.”
Quoting the killing of Narendra Dabholkar and Gauri Lankesh, Gorhe said she was concerned about growing insensitivity among the citizens.
On Shraddha Walkar murder case, she said the deceased had withdrawn her complaint from the police station and there was no such mechanism for them to continue investigations.
When asked on whether being a woman was an ‘advantage or disadvantage’ in her current position as deputy chairperson of the council, Gorhe said “I simply follow the rules of the legislature. If allowing or denying a chance to anyone, I always cite the rule. And when I have to act as a disciplinarian, I do it without thinking twice. Also, since people have seen me in the legislature now for such a long time, they too show respect.”