New Delhi, 18th April, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission will be holding its three day 'Open Hearing' and 'Camp Sitting' at Patna for the State of Bihar from 21st to 23rd April, 2016 to hear the complaints on the problems and grievances of Scheduled Castes and dispose of pending cases on human rights issues specific to the State. Justice Shri H.L. Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC will inaugurate the programme at Seenchai Bhawan, Secretariat, Patna at 10:00 a.m. on the 21st April, 2016.

Thereafter, from 11:00 a.m. onwards, in the Open Hearing, the three Benches of the Commission, presided over by its Members, Mr. Justice Cyriac Joseph, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan and Mr. S.C. Sinha, will hear the petitioners in the 67 cases in the presence of the concerned senior officers of the State Government. These cases pertain to the grievances of Scheduled Castes and other oppressed sections of the society. Public notices were published in the newspapers in Bihar inviting complaints for 'Open Hearing'.

On the second day, on the 22nd April, 2016, the Commission will take up 21 pending cases for hearing in its Camp Sitting. Out of this, 11 cases will be heard by the Full Commission and 10 cases in Division Benches at the same venue. These cases include, among others, the death of more than 100 persons due to cancer in Darbhanga, rehabilitation of rescued bonded labourers, deaths due to electrocution and police encounters and health related matters.

On the concluding day, at the same venue, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the 23rd April, 2016, the Commission will hold a meeting with the representatives of the NGOs, active in the State, on the subject of human rights issues.

Thereafter, the issues emanating out of the 'Open Hearing', 'Camp Sitting' as well as in the meeting with the representatives of the NGOs will be discussed with the senior administrative, police and prison officers of the State Government, including the Chief Secretary, Directors General of Police, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in a meeting at the Conference Hall, Secretariat, Patna.

Some of the issues of discussion with senior officers may include, among others, vacancies of doctors and para-medical staff in Public Health Centres and Community Health Centres and poor supply of medicines in hospitals, problems related to the implementation of social welfare schemes, MNREGA, public distribution system, irregular payment of remuneration to Aanganwadi workers, irregularities in Indira Awas Yojna, shortage of teachers in Government schools and unfilled vacancies as well as delay in submission of reports, including compliance reports, to the Commission, condition of juvenile homes, status of prison reforms, steps taken by the State Government to declare "Kamiya" system as bonded labour, rehabilitation of rescued and released bonded and child labourers etc. The Commission had sent its teams to East Champaran, Arrah, Jamui and Katihar districts of Bihar to monitor the delivery of some of the flagship social welfare programmes.

After the meeting with the senior officers, Chairperson and Members of the Commission would brief the media about the outcome of the Open Hearing and Camp Sitting as well as the discussions with the NGOs and senior officers of the State Government for wider dissemination of information on the action taken by NHRC for the protection and promotion of human rights. The media briefing will be held from 01:00 to 01:30 p.m. at the Conference Hall, Secretariat, Patna.

The National Human Rights Commission has been organising Camp Sittings in different States with an aim to dispose of pending cases concerning one particular State by hearing the senior government officers; sensitize them about the importance of human rights issues and compliance of NHRC recommendations by them; meet the local NGOs to get an insight into the problems being faced by the people.

Since its inception, the Commission has been actively engaged in protection and promotion of the rights of Scheduled Castes. Apart from taking cognizance suo-motu and on complaints relating to atrocities against Scheduled Castes, the Commission has also engaged key stakeholders on the issue; published booklets; and held training programmes and workshops aimed at sensitizing various stakeholders on the issue so as to eliminate atrocities, discrimination, and any other form of violation of their human rights.

The National Human Rights Commission, being deeply concerned about the atrocities against persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, requested Mr. K.B. Saxena, IAS (Retd.) to carry out a study in this regard and suggest appropriate recommendations. Accordingly, Mr. Saxena undertook the study and submitted his comprehensive and detailed report. This report is available on the website of Commission i.e. www.nhrc.nic.in. Among the recommendations Mr. Saxena made was one that the Commission organise at least one 'Open Hearing' a year "where the victims of major atrocities can present their experiences and grievances in seeking justice from Government agencies.

Prior to Bihar, such 'Open Hearings' have been held in the States of Odisha, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh (for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and UT Chandigarh), Kerala, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh.

The NHRC has also organised its 'Camp Sittings' in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengaluru, Karnataka (for four southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu), Odisha, Gujarat, Assam, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, UT Chandigarh (for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and UT Chandigarh) and Kerala, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh.

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