SC asks States to appoint officers under POSH Act

Source: The post is based on the article “SC asks States to appoint officers under POSH Act” published in “The Hindu” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and all the states and Union territories (UTs) to immediately appoint district officers under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act).

What is Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act)?

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What are District Officers under the POSH Act?

The Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013, or POSH Act mandates States to appoint a District Officer in every district.

Functions of District Officer under POSH Act:

Constitute Local Complaints Committees (LCCs): District Officers would constitute Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) to receive complaints from women employed in small establishments with less than 10 workers or cases in which the accused is the employer himself.

Appoint Nodal Officers: A District Officer would appoint nodal officers under the Act in rural, tribal and urban areas.The nodal officers would receive complaints and forward the same to the concerned Local Complaints Committees (LCCs). 

– The Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) after conducting an inquiry have to submit its report to the district officer and the employer recommending action. 

Submit Annual reports to Government: The district officer will forward a brief statement on the annual reports submitted by every employer in their jurisdiction to the government. 

– Note: An Internal Committee (IC) is to be set up under the POSH Act if the organization has 10 or more employees.