Section 8 of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
- (1)The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the State Government grants of such sums of money as the Central Government my think fit, for being utilised for the payment of fees or allowances referred to in subsection (4) of section 7.
- (2)The State Government may set up an agency and transfer the grants made under sub-section (1) 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 (4) 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 thereon.
Summary
- The Central Government can provide grants of money to the State Governments to fund the payment of fees and allowances of Local Committees.
- These grants can only be given after Parliament passes a law allocating these funds.
- The State Government can set up a dedicated agency and transfer the grants to that agency.
- The state agency must pay the District Officer the sums required to cover the fees or allowances of the Local Committee.
- The accounts of the state agency must be maintained and audited as prescribed in consultation with the Accountant General of the State.
- The person holding custody of the agency's accounts must submit an audited copy of the accounts and the auditor's report to the State Government by a set date.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. How are the fees and allowances of Local Committee members funded under the Act?
Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, the Central Government makes grants to the State Government, which can then be transferred to a designated agency to pay the fees or allowances of the Local Committee.
2. What mechanism can State Governments use to manage the grants received from the Central Government?
Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, the State Government can set up a specific agency and transfer the central grants to that agency for distribution.
3. Who audits the accounts of the agency handling the Local Committee grants?
Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, the accounts of the agency are maintained and audited in consultation with the Accountant General of the State.
4. What must the custodian of the agency's accounts submit to the State Government?
Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, the custodian must submit an audited copy of the accounts along with the auditor's report before the prescribed date.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which body must first make a due appropriation by law before the Central Government can release grants to the State Government?
Q2.Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, to whom does the designated state agency pay the sums required for the payment of fees or allowances of the Local Committee?
Q3.Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, in consultation with which authority must the accounts of the agency be maintained and audited?
Q4.Under Section 8 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, who is responsible for furnishing the audited copy of accounts and auditor's report to the State Government?