Appropriate Government to take measures to publicise this Act

Section OverviewPending legal verification

The appropriate Government, subject to such rules as may be made under this Act, shall,—

develop relevant information, education, communication and training materials and organise awareness programmes, which may be disseminated and forwarded to the District Officer and the employers, to advance the understanding of the public on the provisions of this Act;

formulate orientation and training programmes for the members of the Local Committee;

cause to be formulated and implemented schemes for the orientation and training of the members of the Local Committee; and

promote schemes and programmes for the members of the Local Committee and nodal officers for sensitising them to the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

The appropriate Government may, while formulating the schemes under sub-section (1), consult the stakeholders including non-governmental organisations.

Temporary structural and explanatory content only; it is not a verbatim reproduction. Complete statutory text and legal commentary will be integrated after separate legal verification.

Source: Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of IndiaRetrieved: 2024-01-15

Plain Language

The government must actively develop information materials, training programmes, and awareness campaigns to advance public understanding of the Act.

This includes orientation and training specifically for Local Committee members and nodal officers, recognising that these actors need dedicated capacity-building.

The government may consult NGOs and other stakeholders while formulating these schemes.

Why It Matters

Awareness and capacity-building are explicitly built into the Act, not left to chance or employer goodwill.

Without government-led publicity, workers in unorganised sectors and smaller workplaces may never learn about the protections available to them.

Training for Local Committee members is critical because these committees handle sensitive, complex complaints with limited institutional support.

Practical Example

Scenario: A State Government develops a multilingual awareness pamphlet on POSH rights and distributes it through District Officers to workplaces, community centres, and NGOs.

Outcome: This fulfils the Section 24(1)(a) mandate for information and education materials.

Scenario: The government organises a two-day orientation programme for newly nominated Local Committee members covering inquiry procedures, confidentiality, and compensation determination.

Outcome: This directly implements Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(1)(c), building capacity where it is most needed.

Who Must Act

government

Develop information, education, communication, and training materials.
Organise awareness programmes and disseminate them through District Officers and employers.
Formulate and implement orientation and training programmes for Local Committee members and nodal officers.
Consult NGOs and other stakeholders while formulating schemes.

district officer

Disseminate government-developed materials and awareness programmes at the district level.
Support Local Committee members' participation in government-organised training.

Compliance

✓

Develop IEC materials and organise awareness programmes

Actor: Appropriate Government · Rule: Section 24(1)(a)

✓

Formulate and implement orientation and training for Local Committee members

Actor: Appropriate Government · Rule: Section 24(1)(b), (c)

✓

Promote sensitisation schemes for Local Committee members and nodal officers

Actor: Appropriate Government · Rule: Section 24(1)(d)

Common Mistakes

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Treating government awareness campaigns as a replacement for employer-side training under Section 19 — both are required independently.

✗

Assuming NGO consultation under Section 24(2) is mandatory — it is permissive ('may'), not obligatory.

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Ignoring the specific requirement for Local Committee member orientation — these committees need dedicated training, not generic awareness materials.

Source & Status

This page contains temporary structural and explanatory content, not a verbatim reproduction of the Act.

Source: Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

Publication status: Temporary content pending separate legal verification