NEW DELHI: The news of the appointment of Mr R.K. Pachauri as executive vice-chairman of Teri has not gone down well with environmentalists and women activists.
Calling the conduct of Teri “disgraceful”, women activists call for an intervention by the government.
“The conduct of TERI has been disgraceful. They had an internal committee which found him guilty then what is the rational behind giving him a more senior rank? This has made the work place more hostile for the complainant. For it to be happening in an institute of Teri’s stature, calls for an urgent intervention by other institutes like National Commission for Women and the government.
“This incident is known internationally and what kind of message are we giving to women? The government should intervene,” said Ms Kavita Krishnan, secretary, All India Progressive Women’s Association.
Furious at Ter’s decision, the women rights activists are now planning to hold protests. Ms Indira Jaising, former additional solicitor-general of India, said, “The big issue is that Teri has no service rules. There are no rules governing the chairman and executive director. Teri is funded by the government and they should at least withdraw funds to the organisation”.
Voicing his anger, Mr Gopal Krishna of Toxics Watch Alliance said, “Association of a morally suspicious person with institutions pave the way for extinction of an intutional morality.
“It is also a reflection on the connivance and collusion of board members and employees who appear to be acting like wage slaves with no autonomy and agency of their own.”
Meanwhile, anguished over Mr Pachauri’s appointment, the woman who had accused him of sexual harassment, on Tuesday said the decision made her “flesh crawl” and resolved to take the case to a logical conclusion.
In an open letter released on Tuesday, the former employee at Teri slammed the green body’s governing council for creating the new post and appointing Mr Pachauri with executive powers to run the body despite “grave criminal charges” against him.
