Crackdown Under POSH Act: Show-Cause Notices Issued to 83 Establishments for Rule Violations

Failure to Comply Within Stipulated Timeframe May Attract Penalties Up to ₹50,000, Warns District Women and Child Development Officer Shobha Shelar

Mumbai, August 11: To ensure a safe and dignified work environment for women, the state government has intensified its inspection drive under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). Compliance with the provisions of this legislation is mandatory for all government and private offices, institutions, companies, and their branches. Show-cause notices have been issued to 83 establishments in Mumbai City for failing to adhere to these statutory requirements, informed District Women and Child Development Officer Shobha Shelar through an official press release.

The Department of Women and Child Development initiated a state-wide inspection campaign in June 2026 to verify compliance with POSH regulations across public and private sectors. Over 4,000 inspection officers have been deployed for this exercise across Maharashtra. To date, inspections have been conducted at 6,875 establishments statewide, including 3,579 government offices and 3,296 private companies. In Mumbai City district, inspections were carried out at 59 government offices and 94 private organizations, resulting in show-cause notices being served to 83 non-compliant entities.

A firm warning has been issued that if the defaulting establishments fail to fulfill the necessary compliance requirements within the stipulated time frame, penal action including fines up to 50,000 will be initiated by the District Collector and the District Women and Child Development Officer, Mumbai City, in accordance with POSH Act guidelines.

It is mandatory for every government and private office, firm, and corporate branch in the district to register on the Central Government’s SHe-Box Portal, constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and register it, conduct regular training for committee members and employees, submit annual reports, and keep details regularly updated on the portal. District Officer Shobha Shelar appealed to all establishments to immediately comply with these statutory requirements and extend full cooperation.