Ch. III · §7
Chapter III
Local Committee
Section
Chapter III · Local Committee
Section 7
Composition, tenure and other terms and conditions of Local Committee
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.
Plain Language
The Local Committee is composed of four categories of members, all nominated by the District Officer.
The Chairperson must be a woman of eminence, preferably from social work. At least one member must be a local woman from the area, two members from NGOs or associations (with at least one woman), and one ex officio government officer dealing with social welfare or women and child development.
At least one nominee should preferably have a background in law. This is a strong preference, not a rigid requirement, but it supports the LC's quasi-judicial function.
Members hold office for up to three years, with the specific term set by the District Officer.
Why It Matters
The LC is intentionally mixed — community representation, women's-rights experience, legal knowledge, and administrative support all contribute to its functioning.
The ex officio government member provides an institutional link to district administration, which is important for enforcement and resource access.
The preference for a legally knowledgeable member recognises that the LC exercises civil-court-style powers and makes findings with legal consequences.
Practical Example
Scenario: A District Officer constitutes an LC with four members: a retired judge as Chairperson, a local panchayat member, one NGO representative, and the District Women and Child Development Officer.
Outcome: This composition appears to satisfy Section 7 provided the gender balance requirements are met and at least one member has legal knowledge.
Who Must Act
district officer
- Nominate all members of the Local Committee, including the Chairperson.
- Ensure at least one nominee preferably has a background in law or legal knowledge.
- Specify the term of office for each member, not exceeding three years.
government
- Ensure the concerned social welfare or women and child development officer serves as an ex officio member.
Compliance
Nominate a Chairperson who is a woman of eminence, preferably from social work
Actor: District Officer · Rule: Section 7(1)(a)
Nominate at least one local woman member from the block, taluka, tehsil, ward, or municipality
Actor: District Officer · Rule: Section 7(1)(b)
Nominate two members from NGOs or associations, at least one of whom is a woman
Actor: District Officer · Rule: Section 7(1)(c)
Include the concerned social welfare or women and child development officer as ex officio member
Actor: District Officer · Rule: Section 7(1)(d)
Timelines
LC member tenure: Up to 3 years
The Chairperson and every member hold office for a period not exceeding three years from the date of nomination.
Common Mistakes
Constituting the LC without a legal-knowledge member — while the statute uses 'preferably', omitting this weakens the LC's capacity and credibility.
Not including the ex officio government member — this is mandatory, not discretionary.
Confusing the LC's composition with the IC's — the LC has different categories and does not require the employer-side employee members that the IC does.
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