Sexual Harassment Act 2013 Overview
Sexual Harassment Act 2013 Overview
एल*--(एन)04/0007/2003---13
सं* डी"
इस भाग में भिन्न पृष्ठ संख्या दी जाती है जिससे कि यह अलग संकलन के रूप में रखा जा सके |
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation
_. The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the
22nd April, 2013, and is hereby published for general information:-. -
ASD WHEREAS it is expedient to make provisions for giving effect to the said Convention
for protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace.
2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Parr II
CHAPTER J
PRELIMINARY
Short title. 1.(/) This Act may be called the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
extent and Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
commencement
(3) It shal come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, appoint.
Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, --
(a) “aggrieved woman” means—
(1) in relation to a workplace, a woman, of any age whether employed or
not, who alleges to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment by the
respondent;
(ii) in relation to any workplace not covered under sub-clause (/) and
falling within its territory, the State Government;
(c) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Local Complaints Committee
nominated under sub-section (/) of section 7;
(ii) in any workplace not covered under sub-clause (i), any person
responsible for the management, supervision and control of the workplace.
Sec. 1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3
(1) “Local Committee” means the Local Complaints Committee constituted under
section 6;
(/) “Member” means a Member of the Intemal Committee or the Local Committee,
as the case may be;
(m) “respondent” means a person against whom the aggrieved woman has made
a complaint under section 9;
(n) “sexual harassment” includes any one or more of the following unwelcome
acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication) namely:—
(2) The Internal Committee shall consist of the following members to be nominated by
the employer, namely: ---
(a) a Presiding Officer’ who sha!l be a woman employed at a senior level at
workplace from amongst the employees:
Provided that in case a senior level woman employee is not available, the
Presiding Officer shall be nominated from other offices or administrative units of the
workplace referred to in sub-section (/):
Provided further that in case the other offices or administrative units of the
workplace do not have a senior leve] woman employee, the Presiding Officer shall be
nominated from any other workplace of the same employer or other department or
organisation;
(b) not less than two Members from amongst employees preferably committed
to the cause of women or who have had experience in social work or have legal
knowledge;
(c) one member from amongst non-governmental organisations or associations
committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual
harassment:
Provided that at least one-half of the total Members so nominated shall be women.
(3) The Presiding Officer and every Member of the Internal Committee shall hold office
for such period, not exceeding three years, from the date of their nomination as may be
specified by the employer.
(4) [he Member appointed from amongst the non-governmental organisations or
associations shall be paid such fees or allowances for holding the proceedings of the Internal
Committee, by the employer. as may be prescribed.
(5) Where the Presiding Officer or any Member of the Internal Committee,---
(b) has been convicted for an offence or an inquiry into an offence under any law
for the time being'in force is pending against him; or
such Presiding Officer or Member, as the case may be, shall be removed from the Committee
and the vacancy so created or any casual vacancy shall be filled by fresh nomination in
accordance with the provisions of this section.
CHAPTER III
5. The appropriate Government may notify a District Magistrate or Additional District Notification
Magistrate or the Collector or Deputy Collector as a District Officer. for every District to of District
Officer.
exercise powers or discharge functions under this Act.
6. (7) Every District Officer shall constitute in the district concerned, a committee to be Constitution
known as the “Local Complaints Committee” to reccive complaints of sexual harassment and
jurisdiction of
from establishments where the Internal Complaints Committec has not been constituted due Local
to having less than ten workers or if the complaint is ‘against the employer himself. Complaints
Committce
(2) The District Officer shall designate one nodal officer in every block, taluka and
tehsil in rural or tribal area and ward or municipality in the urban area, to receive complaints
and forward the same to the concerned Local Complaints Committee within a period of
seven days.
(3) The jurisdiction of the Local Complaints Committec shall extend to the areas of the
district where it is constituted.
7. (/) The local Complaints Committee shall consist of the following members to be Composition,
tenure and
nominated by the District Officer, namely: --
other terms
(a) a Chairperson to be nominated from amongst the eminent women in the field and conditions
of Local
of social work and committed to the cause of women; Complaints
Committee
(b) one Member to be nominated 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, to be nominated from
amongst such non-governmental organisations or associations committed to the cause
of women ora person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment, which may
be prescribed:
Provided that at least one of the nominees should, preferably, have a background
in law or legal knowledge:
Provided further that 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;
(d) the concerned officer dealing with the social welfare or women and child
development in the district, shall be a member ex officio.
(2) The Chairperson and every Member of the Local Committce shall hold office for
such period, not exceeding three years, from the date of their appointment as may be specified
by the District Officer,
6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part U--
(3) Where the Chairperson or any Member of the Local Complaints Committce ---
(a) contravenes the provisions of section 16; or
(b) has been convicted for an offence or an inquiry into an offence under any law
for the time being in force is pending against him; or
(c) has been found guilty in any disciplinary proceedings or a disciplinary
proceeding is pending against him; or
(d) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial
to the public interest,
such Chairperson or Member, as the case may be, shall be removed from the Committee and
the vacancy so created or any casual vacancy shall be filled by fresh nomination in accordance
with the provisions of this section.
(4) The Chairperson and Members of the Local Committee other than the Members
nominated under clauses (b) and (d) of sub-section (/) shall be entitled to such fees or
allowances for holding the proceedings of the Local Committee as may be prescribed.
Grants and 8. (/) The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law
audil in this behalf, make to the State Government grants of such sums of money as the Central
Government may think fit, for being utilised for the payment of fees or allowances referred to
in sub-section (4) of section 7.
(2) The State Government may set up an agency and transfer the grants made under
sub-section (/) to that agency.
(3) The agency shall pay to the District Officer, such sums as may be required for the
payment of fees or allowances referred to in sub-section (#) of section 7.
(4) The accounts of the agency referred to in sub-section (2) shall be maintained and
audited in such manner as may,in consultation with the Accountant General of the State, be
prescribed and the person holding the custody of the accounts of the agency shall furnish,
to the State Government, before such date, as may be prescribed, its audited copy of accounts
together with auditors’ report thercon.
CHAPTERIV
COMPLAINT
Complaint of 9, (/) Any aggrieved woman may make, in writing, a complaint of sexual harassment at
sexual workplace to the Internal Committee ifso constituted, or the Local Committee, in case it is not
harassment
so constituted, within a period of three months from the date of incident and in case ofa
serics of incidents, within a period of three months from the date of last incident:
Provided that where such complaint cannot be madein writing, the Presiding Officer or
any Member of the Internal Committee or the Chairperson or any Member of the Local
Committee, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the woman for
making the complaint in writing:
Provided further that the Internal Committee or, as the case may be, the Local Committee
may, for the reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the time limit not exceeding three
months, if it is satisfied that the circumstances were such which prevented the woman from
filing a complaint within the said period.
(2) Where the aggrieved woman is unable to make a complaint on account of her
physical or mental incapacity or death or otherwise, her legal heir or such other person as
may be prescribed may make a complaint under this section.
Conciliation 10. (/) The Internal Committee or, as the case may be, the Local Committee, may, before
initiating an inquiry under section |] and at the request of the aggrieved woman take steps
to settle the matter between her and the respondent through conciliation:
Suc. 1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY th
(2) Where a settlement has beer. arrived at under sub-section ( 1), the Internal Committee
or the Local Committee, as the case may be, shall record the settlement so arrived and
forward the same to the employer or the District Officer to take action as specified in the
recommendation. ४
(3) The Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, shall provide
the copies of the settlement as recorded under sub-section (2) to the aggrieved woman and
the respondent.
(4) Where a settlement is arrived at under sub-section (/), no further inquiry shall be
conducted by the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be.
11. (/) Subject to the provisions of section 10, the Internal Committee or the Local inquiry into
Committee, as the case may be, shall, where the respondent is an employee, proceed to make complaint
inquiry into the complaint in accordance with the provisions of the service rules applicable
to the respondent and where no such rules exist, in such manner as may be prescribed or in
case ofa domestic worker, the Local Committee shall, if prima facie case exist, forward the
complaint to the police, within a period of seven days for registering the case under section
45 of 1860 509 of the Indian Penal Code, and any other relevant provisions of the said Code where
applicable:
Provided that where the aggrieved woman informs the Internal Committee or the Local
Committee, as the case may be, that any term or condition of the settlement arrived at under
sub-section (2) of section 10 has not been complied with by the respondent, the Internal
Committee or the local Committee shall proceed to make an inquiry into the complaint or, as
the case may be, forward the complaint to the police:
Provided further that where both the partics are employees, the parties shall, during
the course of inquiry, be given an oppcrtunity of being heard and a copy of the findings shall
be made available to both the parties enabling them to make representation against the
findings before the Committec.
45 of 1860. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, the
court may, when the respondent is convicted of the offence, order payment of such sums as
it may consider appropriate, to the aggrieved woman by the respondent, having regard to the
provisions of section 15.
(3) For the purpose of making an inquiry under sub-section (/), the Internal Committee .
or the Loca] Committee, as the case may be, shall have the same powers as are vested in a
5 of 1908 civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 when trying a suit in respect of the
following matters, namely:—--
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him
on oath;
CHAPTER V
INQUIRY INTO COMPLAINT
12. (/) During the pendency of an inquiry, on a written request made by the aggrieved Action during
pendency of
woman, the Internal Committee or the Local Committec. as the case may be, may recommend inquiry
to the employer te -
(a) transfer the aggrieved wornan or the respondent to any other workplace, or
8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY | Part Ul
(c) grant such other relief to the aggrieved woman as may be prescribed
(2) The Jeave granted to the aggrieved woman under this section shall be in addition to
the leave she would be otherwise entitled.
(3) On the recommendation of the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the
case may be, under sub-section (/), the employer shall implement the recommendations
made under sub-section (7) and send the report of such implementation to the Internal
Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be.
Inquiry rcport 13, (1) On the completion of an inquiry under this Act, the Internal Committee or the
Local Committee, as the case may be, shall provide a report of its findings to the employer, or
as the case may be, the District Officer within a period of ten days from the date of completion
of the inquiry and such report be made available to the concerned parties.
(2) Where the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, arrives
at the conclusion that the allegation against the respondent has not been proved, it shall
recommend to the employer and the District Officer that no action is required to be taken in
the matter.
(3) Where the Internal Committee or the Local Commnittee, as the case may be, arrives
at the conclusion that the allegation against the respondent has been proved, it shall
recommend to the employer or the District Officer, as the case may be---
(4) to take action for sexual harassment as a misconduct in accordance with the
provisions of the service rules applicable to the respondent or where no such service
rules have been made, in such manner as may be prescribed;
Punishment 14. (/) Where the Internal Committee or the Local Committec, as the case may be,
for false or arrives at a conclusion that the allegation against the respondent is malicious or the aggrieved
malicious woman or any other person making the complaint has made the complaint knowing it to be
complaint and
false evidence false or the aggrieved woman or any other person making the complaint has produced any
forged or misleading document, it may recommend to the employer or the District Officer, as
the case may be, to take action against the woman or the person who has made the complaint
under sub-section (/) or sub-section (2) of section 9, as the case may be, in accordance with
the provisions of the service rules applicable to her or him or where no such service rules
exist, in such manner as may be prescribed:
Provided that a mere inability to substantiate a complaint or provide adequate proof
need not attract action against the complainant under this section
Provided further that the malicious intent on part of the complainant shall be established
after an inquiry in accordance with the procedure prescribed, before any action is
recommended.
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 9
(2) Where the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, arrives
at a conclusion that during the inquiry any witness has given false evidence or produced
any forged or misleading document, it may recommend to the employer of the witness or the
District Officer, as the case may be, to take action in accordance with the provisions of the
service rules applicable to the said witness or where no such service rules exist, in such
manner as may be prescribed.
15. For the purpose of determining the sums to be paid to the aggrieved woman under Determination
clause (i) of sub-section (3) of section 13, the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as of
compensation
the case may be, shall have regard to --
(a) the mental trauma, pain, suffering and emotional distress caused to the
aggricved woman;
(b) the loss in the career opportunity due to the incident of sexual harassment;
(c) medical expenses incurred by the victim for physical or psychiatric treatment;
Provided that information may be disseminated regarding the justice secured to any
victim of sexual harassment under this Act without disclosing the name, address, identity or
any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of the aggrieved woman and
witnesses. ,
17. Where any person entrusted with the duty to handle or deal with the complaint, Penalty for
inquiry or any recommendations or action to be taken under the provisions of this Act, publication or
making known
contravenes the provisions of section 16, he shall be liable for penalty in accordance with the contents of
provisions of the service rules applicable to the said person or where no such service rules complaint and
exist, in such manner as may be prescribed. inquiry
proceedings
18: (/) Any person aggrieved from the recommendations made under sub-section (2) Appeal
of section 13 or under clause (/) or clause (ii) of sub-section (3) of section 13 or sub-
section (/) or sub-section (2) of section 14 or section 17 or non-implementation of such
recommendations may prefer an appeal to the court or tribunal in accordance with the
provisions of the service rules applicable to the said person or where no such service rules
exist then, without prejudice to provisions contained in any other law for the time being in
force, the person aggrieved may prefer an appeal in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The appeal under sub-section (/) shall be preferred within a period of nincty days
of the recommendations
CHAPTER VI
DUTIES OF EMPLOYER
CHAPTER VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Committee to 21. (/) The Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, shall in
submil annual each calendar year prepare, in such form and at such time as may be prescribed, an annual
report
report and submit the same to the employer and the District Officer.
(2) The District Officer shall forward a brief report on the annual reports received under
sub-section (/) to the State Government.
Employer to 22. The employer shall include in its report the number of cases filed, if any, and their
include disposal under this Act in the annual report of his organisation or where no such report is
information in
required to be prepared, intimate such number of cases, if any, to the District Officer.
annual report
Appropriate 23. The appropriate Government shall monitor the implementation of this Act and
Government maintain data on the number of cases filed and cisposed of in respect of all cases of sexual
10 monitor
harassment at workplace.
implementation
and maintain
data
Appropriate 24. he appropriate Government may, subject to the availability of financial and other
Government resources,
to take
measures [0 (a) develop relevant information, education, communication and training
publicise the materials, and organise awareness programmes, to advance the understanding of the
Act public of the provisions of this Act providing for protection against sexual harassment
of woman at workplacz
Sec. 1} 11
(0) formulate orientation and training programmes for the members of the Local
Complaints Committee.
25. (/) The appropriate Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the Power to call
public interest or in the interest of women employees at a workplace to do so, by order in for information
writing,--- and inspection
of records
(a) call upon any employer or District Officer to furnish in writing such information
relating to sexual harassment as it may require;
(b) authorise any officer to make inspection of the records and workplace in
relation to sexual harassment, who shal] submit a report of such inspection to it within
such period as may be specified in the order.
(2) Every employer and District Officer shall produce on demand before the officer
making the inspection all information, records and other documents in his custody having a
bearing on the subject matter of such inspection.
26. (/) Where the employer fails to--- Penalty for
non-
(a) constitute an Internal Committee under sub-section (/) of section 4; compliance
(b) take action under sections 13, 14 and 22; and with
provisions of
(c) contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets contravention of other Act.
provisions of this Act or any rules made thereunder,
he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupces.
(2)If any employer, after having been previously convicted of an offence punishable
under this Act subsequently commits and is convicted of the same offence, he shall be liable
10---
(/) twice the punishment, which might have been imposed on a first conviction,
subject to the punishment being maximum provided for the same offence:
Provided that incase a higher punishment is prescribed under any other law for
the time being in force, for the offence for which the accused is being prosecuted, the
court shall take due cognizance of the same while awarding the punishment;
(i) cancellation, of his licence or withdrawal, or non-renewal, or approval, or
cancellation of the registration, as the case may be, by the Government or local authority
required for carrying on his business or activity.
27. (/) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act or any Cognizance of
rules made thereunder, save on a complaint made by the aggrieved woman or any person offence — by
courts
authorised by the Internal Committee or Local Committee in this behalf.
(2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicia) Magistrate of
the first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act.
(3) Every offence under this Act shall be non-cognizable.
28. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the Act not in
provisions of any other law for the time being in force. derogation of
any other law.
29, (/) The Central Government nay, by notification in the Officiai Gazette, make rules Power of
for carrying out the provisions of this Act. appropriate
Government
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such to make rules
rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the fees or allowances to be paid to the Members under sub-section (-/) of
section 4;
(6) nomination of members under clause (c) of sub-section (/) of section 7;
(c) the fees or allowances to be paid to the Chairperson, and Members under
sub-section (-/) of section 7;
12 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Parr ll -
(d) the person who may make complaint under sub-section (2) of section 9;
(¢) the manner of inquiry under sub-section (/) of section 11;
(/) the powers for making an inquiry under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of
section LI;
(g) the relief to be recommended under clause (¢) of sub-section (/) of section 12;
(A) the manner of action to be taken under clause (/) of sub-section (3) of
section 13;
(i) the manner of action to be taken under sub-sections (/) and (2) of section 14: -
(nz) the form and time for preparation of annual report by Internal Committee and
the Local Committee under sub-section (/) of section 21.
(3) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid as soon as
may be after it is made, before cach House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a totai
period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive
sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the
successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or
both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only
in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such
modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously
done under that rule.
(4) Any rule made under sub-section (4) of section 8 by the State Government shall be
laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before cach House of the State Legislature where it
consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists of one Housc, before that
House.
एल 30. (/) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central
remove Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not
difficulties. inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary for removing,
the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a
period of two years from the commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made,
before each House of Parliament.
P.K. MALHOTRA,
Secy. to the Govt. of India.
CORRIGENDA
THE PREVENTION OF MONEY-LAUNDERING (AMENDMENT)
ACT, 2012
(2 of 2013)
CORRIGENDUM
THE UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2012
(3 of 2013)
At page 6, in line 22, for “clause”, read “clause”.
CORRIGENDUM
CORRIGENDUM
GMGIPMRND—-354GI(S4)—23-04-2013.