Local Committee (LC)

The Local Committee (LC) — constituted by the District Officer under Section 6 of the POSH Act — exists to provide redress to women in the unorganised sector and workers in organisations too small to constitute an Internal Committee (fewer than 10 employees). It fills the enforcement gap left by statutory minimum employee thresholds.

The LC's composition mirrors the IC's requirements: a Chairperson (an eminent woman from the field of social work committed to women's causes), at least two members from NGOs or associations working in the area of gender equality or sexual harassment, and one government official from the district women and child development office.

Complaints to the LC follow the same process as IC complaints: filed within three months of the incident, investigated within 90 days, and reported to the District Officer. The LC has the same inquiry powers as the IC — including the power to recommend compensation, termination, and criminal action.

For L&D professionals in large organisations, the LC's existence matters in two contexts: first, when complaints involve contractual workers or vendors (whose employer may have fewer than 10 employees); and second, when an IC member approaches the LC for guidance on complex cases. Understanding the LC's role is part of comprehensive POSH training for HR and IC members.