Here's the procedure to set up grievance redressal cell at colleges, universities

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has ordered to institute complaint redressal cells for students at every college in the state and also in the study wings of universities in one month.

The decision has been taken in the wake of the death of a student of Amal Jyothi Engineering College, Kanjirappally. The responsibility of implementation vests with the institutions. If it is not adhered to, the universities can impose fines, bar courses, withdraw government funds and cancel the affiliation of such institutions.

Composition of cell

In colleges, the principals, and in universities, the department heads will head the cell. In the cell, there will be two teachers recommended by the head as members, and one of them will be a woman. The cell will have as members the college union/department students union chairperson, two student representatives (one of them a woman), a differently abled student nominated by the principal/department head, a Scheduled Category student, a PTA representative, and the teacher nominated by the Syndicate as the representative of the university.

The university representatives should not be a member of the institution. The student representatives should be identified during the college union elections itself. The cell convener can be elected by the committee.

Procedures to follow

The website of the institution will publish the names of the committee members and the phone number to contact. This will be intimated to the university.

The complaints received and decisions taken will be informed to the university. A separate officer will be given the responsibility in this regard in each university. If students have complaints regarding the decision of the committee, they can file appeals with the appellate panel headed by the Pro-Vice Chancellor or the tribunal.

The decision by the appellate panel will be final.