68 : RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN 7.8 The Commission is pleased to note that the CBSE has, through its letter of 20 August 2001 informed the Commission that a proposal is under consideration to amend the affiliation by-laws in order to make it essential for CBSE affiliated schools to set-up complaints mechanisms along the lines directed by the Supreme Court. The CBSE has further stated that all affiliated schools are being requested to send quarterly Action Taken Reports on the subject, for which a proforma has been devised covering the instructions of the Apex Court and that the modalities for a Helpline were under consideration. 7.9 In a further meeting presided over by the Chairperson of the Commission, a discussion was held in respect of the sexual harassment of women in the legal profession. Shri Soli S. Sorahjee, Attorney General of India, Shri D.V. Subba Rao, Chairman, Bar Council of India and Shri R.K. Jain, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court attended that meeting. Subsequent to the meeting, the Commission constituted a high-level Committee on 21 December 2001, under the chairmanship of Shri Soli Sorahjee in his ex-officio capacity to consider all aspects of the problem of sexual harassment of women in the legal profession and to make suitable recommendations for the penalisation/punishment of those who may be involved. Specifically, the Committee was also asked to consider whether amendments were needed to the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council Rules, and to advise the Commission of its views on this matter. 7.10 In a parallel effort, the Commission wrote to the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) recommending that 'the findings of the Complaints Committee in all matters pertaining to sexual harassment at the place of work should he considered as final against the delinquent official, as this would lead to early decision on the sensitive issue, and, save the victim from undue harassment. For this purpose the inquiry conducted by the Complaints Committee should be deemed as the inquiry conducted in a departmental inquiry under the disciplinary proceedings drawn up against the delinquent official.' That Department, in turn referred the matter to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs (Department of Legal Affairs) for examination, which gave the opinion that such a procedure could not be followed. The Commission, thereafter, sought the advice of Shri P. Chidambaram, Senior Advocate. He has opined that there is no legal impediment to amending the Service Rules in such a manner tliai the inquiry conducted by the Complaints Committee be treated as a departmental inquiry. The Commission therefore intends to pursue this matter further. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION