Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Oct 16: The High Court has pulled up the Directorate of Panchayats (DOP) for failing to ensure the constitution of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in village panchayats across Goa under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, warning that substantial costs would be imposed if an explanation is not submitted by October 19, 2026.

The court was hearing a petition highlighting the failure of the Village Panchayat of Majorda-Utorda-Calata to constitute an ICC as mandated under the law.

The High Court observed that the Director of Panchayats had stated in an affidavit dated January 30, 2026, that every panchayat under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act constituted an independent workplace and was legally required to establish an ICC. However, no progress had been documented since the submission.

“Despite a year having elapsed, till date there is no material placed on record by the DOP as to why the Internal Complaints Committee has not been constituted for the aforementioned Village Panchayat,” the court observed.

It also noted that the department had not submitted records detailing the enforcement measures taken to ensure compliance across all village panchayats in Goa.

The court directed the Directorate of Panchayats to file a detailed affidavit addressing both the failure to constitute the committee at Majorda-Utorda-Calata and the steps taken to ensure compliance across the state.

Warning of substantial financial penalties in the event of non-compliance, the High Court scheduled the matter for further hearing on October 19.