Local Complaints Gopalganj, Bihar
The prevention of sexual harassment in workplaces is a critical concern that has led to the establishment of specific mechanisms to address and redress grievances. In India, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act, mandates the formation of committees to handle such issues. These are the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for organizations with ten or more employees and the Local Complaints Committee (LCC) for districts to address complaints from establishments with fewer than ten employees or where the complaint is against the employer. In Gopalganj district, Bihar, both committees have been constituted to ensure a safe working environment for women.
Local Complaints Committee (LCC) in Gopalganj
The LCC in Gopalganj has been established to address complaints of sexual harassment from workplaces that do not have an ICC due to having less than ten employees or when the complaint is against the employer. The committee comprises individuals committed to the cause of women’s welfare. The members of the LCC in Gopalganj are as follows:
Local Complaints Committee
| Sr.No. | Local Committee Members | President/ Member | Mobile No. | Email ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smt. Ahilya Kumari (Social Worker) | President | 7050079214 | mtst1882@gmail.com |
| 2 | Smt. Naziya Mumtaz, Centre Administrator One Stop Centre Gopalganj | Member | 9771468012 | naziahasannaz0333@gmail.com |
| 3 | Aafija Wasim, Women’s Child Welfare Institute | Member | 912206775 | mskshathua@gmail.com |
| 4 | Kumari Nidhi, Lawyer | Member | 9934652953 | kumarinidhiadv@gmail.com |
| 5 | Smt. Kumari Manju, CDPO, Barauli | Member | 7903562769 | cdpo.barauli@gmail.com |
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in Gopalganj
The ICC is formed within organizations to address complaints of sexual harassment internally. In Gopalganj, the Office of the Superintendent of Police has constituted an ICC with the following members:
| Sr. No. | Name | Mobile No. | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smt. Jyoti Kumari | Dy. SP (HQ) | |
| 2 | Naziya Mumtaz | 9771468012 | Mahila Help Line, Gopalganj |
| 3 | Police Sub-Inspector Afsha Praveen | 8210780139 | Mahila Thanadhyaksh |
| 4 | Police Sub-Inspector Raj Laxmi | 6299764612 | Nagar Thana |
| 5 | Police Sub-Inspector Alka Kumari | 7004917664 | Nagar Thana |
| 6 | Mahila Sipahi-570 Merinisha Savaeya | 6201064299 | Thana Manager, Mahila Thana |
The POSH Act and the Role of LCC and ICC
The POSH Act, enacted in 2013, provides a comprehensive framework to prevent and address sexual harassment at workplaces. It mandates that every organization with ten or more employees must constitute an Internal Committee (IC) to handle complaints internally. However, to ensure that women working in smaller establishments or the unorganized sector are also protected, the Act requires the formation of Local Complaints Committees (LCC) at the district level.
Filing a Complaint with the LCC
Women who experience sexual harassment in workplaces without an ICC can file a complaint with the LCC by submitting six copies of the complaint along with supporting documents and witness details to the designated nodal officer. The nodal officer forwards the complaint to the LCC within seven days. Upon