NE NEWS SERVICE
SURAT, FEB 22
Even as the National Commission for Women (NCW) and Gujarat State Commission for Women (GSCW) took suo motu cognizance of the privacy violation of women staffers and condemned how the test was conducted at Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani on Friday ordered a probe into allegations that around 100 female trainee clerks of the civic body were made to stand naked for a medical test in the gynaecology ward of the hospital.
The panel comprising Dr Kalpana Desai, former dean of SMIMER, Gayatri Jariwala, assistant municipal commissioner, SMC and Trupti Kalathariya, executive engineer will probe the incident and submit a report within 15 days.
NCW member Dr Rajul L Desai said, “This action goes against section 509 of the IPC on outraging the modesty of women. Further, it also goes against Article 21 of the Constitution that ensures the right to privacy. We have written to the chief secretary in the matter and we have been informed that a three-member committee has been formed to investigate it.”
Gujarat State Commission for Women (GSCW) ordered a suo motu inquiry.’ GSCW chairperson Leela Ankoliya said that the commission has asked SMC to submit an inquiry report as early as possible.
“This should not happen to any woman, and if these types of tests are done, it is indeed shocking. Courts have also prohibited such tests. We will take further action after examining the SMC report,” Ankoliya said
Pani said, “All trainee employees must undergo a physical test for the job upon the completion of the training period. There are about five cubicles where the women were checked individually. However, if there was any breach, the committee will report it.”
Kamal Dayani, principal secretary, general administration department (GAD), personnel, said, “It’s a very shocking and unfortunate incident. The general recruitment rules mandate only basic medical tests for all candidates. These don’t include gynaecology or pregnancy tests.” At least 100 women were allegedly made to stand naked in groups of 10 for physical examination and some even alleged they were subjected to humiliating finger tests for pregnancy check on Thursday. The tests were conducted at Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER).
Dayani asserted: “Privacy during the basic medical tests is also a must. One cannot force any woman candidate to undertake the tests in a group.”
On Thursday, Ashwin Vachhani, head of the gynaecology department, SMIMER, had said the physical examination of women was mandatory as per the guidelines to ascertain if they had any specific illness. His cell phone was switched off when TOI tried contacting him on Friday.
Dr Vandana Desai, superintendent, SMIMER, said, “There are no specific government guidelines about fitness tests, but a majority of the doctors follow the protocol that is commonly practised in all the government medical colleges. In this case, the women must have been tested as per the requirements to check their complete fitness.”
The Surat Municipal Corporation Employees Union (SMCEU) had raised the issue with the municipal commissioner and health department after women found the methodology of the tests extremely humiliating. The tests have been going on for the last fortnight.
