NHRC ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ in Raipur concludes with recommendation of payment of Rs. 54 Lakh as relief in cases of rights violation of people of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. (13.02.2020)

RAIPUR, 13TH February 2020

The National Human Rights Commission concluded its ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ in Raipur today recommending payment of Rs. 54 lakh as relief in cases of atrocities related to the rights violation of people belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities in Chhattisgarh. During the hearing of 54 cases, the State Government officers informed that they have already paid Rs.12.90 lakhs as per the recommendations of the Commission in some cases to the victims.

54 cases were heard in the ‘Open Hearing’ in three benches presided over by the NHRC Chairperson Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu, Members, Mrs. Jyotika Kalra and Dr. D.M. Mulay. Thereafter, 13 cases were heard in the Full Commission sitting. NHRC Secretary General Mr. Jaideep Govind, Director General (Investigation) Mr. Prabhat Singh, Registrar (Law)

Mr. Surajit Dey and other senior officers as well as officials of the State Government and complainants were present.

The matters heard in the ‘Open Hearing’ included non-implementation of compensation to 35 women, as recommended by the Commission, non-implementation of healthcare facilities in Maoist affected districts of the State, air and water pollution, rehabilitation of people rendered homeless on account of implementation of mega project by NTPC, etc.

The NGOs during the interaction raised issues of healthcare, SCs/STs welfare, care of women, elderly and children.

Earlier, inaugurating the ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’, the NHRC Chairperson Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu said that the Public Hearings at regular periods provide platform for speedy justice to SCs/STs and other vulnerable class of the society. Complainants and officials come at one place for speedy justice and succour to the victims. He further said that the Human Rights Defenders are crucial to protection of human rights.

NHRC Secretary General Mr. Jaideep Govind said that the NHRC is extensively using the HRNet Portal for facilitation of submission of complaints and redressal of grievances.

Mr. Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance said that the State is having 32% Scheduled Tribe population with half area as the Scheduled Area (85 Tribal Blocks out of 159). The State has special focus on nutrition and health. They are involved in tackling of malaria as a major problem. The poverty level in the State is high, Dantewada District being 60% as against the national level of 22%.

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