Panel to check harassment of women in film industry formed

HYDERABAD: In tune with the demands of women’s associations, Telangana government has constituted a high-level committee to inquire into issues of sexual harassment of women artistes in Telugu film and television industry and to make recommendations to the government. Senior artistes, women rights groups, officials from departments of labour, home, women and child welfare and others from the film industry are part of this committee.Dr Vasanthi from Nalsar and Dr Rama Devi from Gandhi medical college have also been made part of this committee.
The state has issued GO Rt No 984 announcing the constitution of the high-level committee. The chairman of Telangana state film development corporation will act as chairman of the committee. The MD of this corporation will act as member convener.
Tollywood director Nandini Reddy, film and TV artist Jhansi, Y Supriya of Telugu film chamber of commerce, film artistes Preeti Nigam, Supriya, Sruthi along with writer Paruchuri Gopalakrishna, directors N Shankar, and Tammareddy Bharadwaja, too, have been made members of this committee. Representatives from SHE teams have also been made members of the panel.
Vasudha Nagaraj, who filed and argued a public interest plea seeking the constitution of a high-power committee that will protect women in film industry from undue harassment, told TOI that this is a welcome development.