Introduction about ICC

Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is a mandatory Committee which should be there in every Institution.

Responsibilities of ICC

Every Institution should have a safe and harassment-free campus. In the case of the complaint against POSH, the ICC is solely responsible to investigate without being bias. The ICC is required to be vigilant to redress the sexual harassment complaints and resolves the issues. ICC is the sole authority to inquire about the complaints and make efforts to redress the same.

The Complaints of sexual harassment at a workplace corrode the persona of not only the complainant and the accused, but of the Institution as well.

What is POSH?

POSH or the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (the Act) is a groundbreaking law on a much-needed and burning issue. It is India’s first codified legislation that categorically deals with the prevention, prohibition, and redressal of sexual harassment of women at the workplace.

The Act came into force on December 9, 2013, and is binding on every organization, public or private, having more than 10 employees.

Composition of Internal Complaints Committee

Under the Act, Internal Complaints Committee Policy is required to prevent instances of sexual harassment and also to receive and effectively deal with complaints related to such acts.

The Internal Complaints Committee must comprise of:
i) Presiding Officer: The presiding officer must be a woman employed at a senior level in the organization or workplace to work according to the Internal Complaints Committee Policy.

ii) Internal Members: At least 2 Internal Complaints Committee members must be selected from among the employees who are committed to the cause of women or who have had the experience of social work or have legal knowledge.

iii) External Member: The external member of the IC has to be selected from non-governmental organizations or associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment.

iv) 50% Women: At Least one-half of the total members nominated to the IC must be women.

Powers of the Internal Complaints Committee

The Internal Complaints Committee plays an important role in the functioning of the provisions of the Act and to ensure the fulfilment of its objectives of the Internal Complaints Committee Policy.

Thus, the main function of the Internal Complaints Committee is:
• Implementation of the Internal Complaints Committee Policy relating to the prevention of sexual harassment.
• Resolving complaints by the aggrieved based on the guidelines of the Internal Complaints Committee Policy.
• Recommending actions to be taken by the Employer.

As per Section 11(3) the Internal Complaints Committee enjoys the powers same as that of a Civil Court and therefore:
• It is empowered to initiate an inquiry into a complaint of sexual harassment at the workplace according to the Internal Complaints Committee Policy.
• IC has the power to summon witnesses and parties to state the committee.
• It enjoys the discretion of summoning evidence to be examined if it may be deemed necessary to do so by the members of the Committee.

Responsibilities of Internal Complaints Committee

Every organization is bound by POSH law to publish the names and details of the current IC members on the premises at prominent places as well as on their official website.

The main responsibility that lies with the ICC is:
• Receive complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.
• Initiate and conduct an inquiry as per the company’s procedure.
• Submit findings and recommendations of all such inquiries.
• Coordinate with the Employer in implementing appropriate action.
• Maintain strict confidentiality throughout the process as per established guidelines of the Internal Complaints Committee Policy.
• Submit annual reports in the prescribed format as prescribed.

Members of ICC of Gopal Chandra Memorial College of Education

1. Dr. Paramita Bandyopadhyay, Presiding Officer, Associate Prof. & senior most faculty [Contact No. +91 9051944172]
2. Dr. Arun Kumar Barai, Member & Asst. Prof. [Contact No. +91 9875555429]
3. Dr. Sairindhree Sen, Member & Asst. Prof. [Contact No. +91 9830421682]
4. Mrs. Sasti Bairagi, Member & Social Worker of the locality [Contact No. +91 8583923580]