Sections 7-8 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 7 says who sits on the Local Committee, for how long, when a member is removed and who is paid an allowance. Section 8 explains where the money for those allowances comes from and how the State agency's accounts are audited. If you are working with a Local Committee, this article gives the structure; for the constitution and jurisdiction, see section 6. For advice on a matter before a Local Committee, see our legal consultation service.
The District Officer nominates a Chairperson (an eminent woman in social work committed to the cause of women), one Member from women working in the block, taluka, tehsil, ward or municipality, two Members from non-governmental organisations or persons familiar with the issues (at least one a woman), and the district officer for social welfare or women and child development as a Member ex officio. The term is not exceeding three years. Allowances are fixed by Rule 5 and paid by the District Officer; funds flow under section 8.
Source and names
We follow the consolidated text of the Act consulted (it shows one amendment, Act 23 of 2016, with effect from 6 May 2016); later amendments and notifications should be checked. The footnotes in sections 6 and 7 show Act 23 of 2016 substituting "Local Committee" for "Local Complaints Committee", and the copy still prints the older name in the Chapter III heading and in sections 2(c) and 2(i). The Rules are cited from the copy consulted (the Rules as notified on 9 December 2013).
Section 7(1): the composition
All members are "nominated by the District Officer".
| Seat | Who |
|---|---|
| (a) Chairperson | Nominated from amongst the eminent women in the field of social work and committed to the cause of women |
| (b) One Member | From amongst the women working in block, taluka or tehsil or ward or municipality in the district |
| (c) Two Members | Of whom at least one shall be a woman, from amongst such non-governmental organisations or associations committed to the cause of women, or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment, "which may be prescribed" |
| (d) Ex officio | The concerned officer dealing with the social welfare or women and child development in the district |
Two provisos sit under clause (c).
- At least one of the nominees "should, preferably, have a background in law or legal knowledge".
- At least one of the nominees shall be a woman belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes or the Other Backward Classes or minority community notified by the Central Government, from time to time.
The word "preferably" in the first proviso makes the legal background a preference, while "shall" in the second makes the second a requirement. The text does not say how a nominee satisfying both conditions is to be counted.
"As may be prescribed": Rule 4
Clause (c) says the organisations or persons are those "which may be prescribed". Rule 4 of the Rules fills this for the "person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment": a person with expertise on issues relating to sexual harassment, which may include a social worker with at least five years' experience, or a person familiar with labour, service, civil or criminal law. See our article on Rule 4.
Section 7(2): tenure
"The Chairperson and every Member of the Local Committee shall hold office for such period, not exceeding three years, form the date of their appointment as may be specified by the District Officer." The copy prints "form" for "from"; this is a printing slip. The District Officer specifies the period, and the ceiling is three years.
Section 7(3): removal
The Chairperson or Member "shall be removed from the Committee" where he or she:
- (a) contravenes the provisions of section 16;
- (b) has been convicted for an offence, or an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force is pending;
- (c) has been found guilty in any disciplinary proceedings, or a disciplinary proceeding is pending; or
- (d) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.
The vacancy, and any casual vacancy, is filled by fresh nomination under section 7. The grounds match those for the Internal Committee in section 4(5); compare our article on section 4.
Section 7(4): fees or allowances
The Chairperson and Members "other than the Members nominated under clauses (b) and (d) of sub-section (1)" are entitled to fees or allowances "as may be prescribed". So the one Member nominated under (b) and the ex officio member are not entitled to the allowance. Rule 5 fills the gap. As notified in 2013, the Chairperson is entitled to an allowance of two hundred and fifty rupees per day for holding the proceedings. Members other than those under clauses (b) and (d) are entitled to two hundred rupees per day, plus reimbursement of travel cost by train in three tier air condition, air conditioned bus and auto rickshaw or taxi, or the actual amount spent, whichever is less. The District Officer is responsible for payment. Those are the 2013 figures of the Rules as notified; check the current Rules. See Rules 1-3 and 5. The copy prints rule 5 with the number "1." and the second and third paragraphs without sub-rule numbers; these are printing slips.
Section 8: grants and audit
Section 8 deals with how the allowances are funded.
| Sub-section | What it says |
|---|---|
| (1) | The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law, make to the State Government grants of such sums as the Central Government thinks fit, to be used for the fees or allowances referred to in section 7(4). The copy prints "my think fit"; a printing slip |
| (2) | The State Government may set up an agency and transfer the grants to it |
| (3) | The agency shall pay to the District Officer such sums as are required for the fees or allowances under section 7(4) |
| (4) | The agency's accounts shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may, in consultation with the Accountant General of the State, be prescribed; the person holding custody of the accounts shall furnish to the State Government, before such date as may be prescribed, an audited copy of accounts with the auditors' report |
No rule in the Rules copy consulted fills section 8(4). The Act's own section 29(4) speaks of a rule under section 8(4) made by the State Government, although section 29(1) gives the rule-making power to the Central Government; the copy therefore points to State rules. We have no State rule in the sources, so we give no manner of audit, no date and no form. Check the State rules, if any.
An example
Leela is nominated Chairperson of a district's Local Committee. The District Officer's order specifies a term that stays within the three-year ceiling. For each day on which the Committee holds proceedings she is entitled, under Rule 5 as notified in 2013, to two hundred and fifty rupees. The ex officio member, the district's women and child development officer, attends the same sittings but is not entitled to an allowance under section 7(4). Funds for the allowances reach the District Officer through the State agency under section 8(3).
Need help with Local Committee matters?
If you are an employer whose complaint has gone to a Local Committee, or a nominee wanting to understand your role, our legal consultation team can walk you through the sections. Our topic guide on the Local Committee for small employers is a useful general read.
Key takeaways
- The District Officer nominates all Local Committee members; the seats are Chairperson, one local woman Member, two Members and an ex officio officer.
- Term: set by the District Officer, not exceeding three years.
- Removal grounds mirror section 4(5); vacancies are filled by fresh nomination.
- Rule 5 (2013 figures): Chairperson two hundred and fifty rupees per day; other eligible Members two hundred rupees per day plus travel; District Officer pays.
- Section 8: Central grants to the State, an optional State agency, payment to the District Officer; audit manner and date are left to rules.
Read next
- Section 6 of the POSH Act, 2013: Local Committee constitution and jurisdiction
- Sections 5 and 20 of the POSH Act, 2013: District Officer
- Rules 1-3 and 5 of the POSH Rules, 2013: definitions and allowances
- Local Complaints Committee (LCC): For Small Employers
Disclaimer: Based on a consolidated text of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 showing one amendment (Act 23 of 2016, 6 May 2016) and on a copy of the Rules of 2013 as notified on 9 December 2013, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendments, State rules and notifications, and the position under the Labour Codes in force from 21 November 2025 should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.