NHRC's open hearing in Gujarat
A delegation of the National Human Rights Commission headed by its Chairperson, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan held an open hearing on the 14th May, 2012 at Ahemdabad, Gujarat on the complaints of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and the problems faced by them in seeking justice from the State Government agencies.
Mr. Justice B.C. Patel, Member, Mr. Sunil Krishna, Director General (Investigation), Mr. A.K. Garg, Registrar (Law) and other senior officers of the Commission were part of the NHRC delegation.
After hearing the affected people, the Commission met with the representatives of NGOs. The Commission received about 100 complaints, which included issues such as rehabilitation of victims of social boycott, forced migration, exploitation of labourers, low conviction rate in cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and abolition of contract. On the 15th May, 2012, the Commission took up these issues with the Chief Secretary, DGP and senior civil, police and jail officials at a meeting. They were also sensitized on handling issues of human rights violations. Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan appreciated some unique provisions started by the State Government, which included scholarships to the Scheduled Castes students for pilot training and higher studies abroad. However, he said that more steps needed to be taken up by the State authorities to implement some specific provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which included holding of State vigilance committee meeting twice a year to monitor and review implementation of laws for protection of rights of Scheduled Castes. He also said that the State Government should expedite its compliance report on the recommendations given by the NHRC on the issue of paying monetary relief to the victims of silicosis.
At the end of the open hearing the Chairperson accompanied by Member, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel and senior officers also addressed a press conference.
Mr. Justice B.C. Patel, Member, Mr. Sunil Krishna, Director General (Investigation), Mr. A.K. Garg, Registrar (Law) and other senior officers of the Commission were part of the NHRC delegation.
After hearing the affected people, the Commission met with the representatives of NGOs. The Commission received about 100 complaints, which included issues such as rehabilitation of victims of social boycott, forced migration, exploitation of labourers, low conviction rate in cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and abolition of contract. On the 15th May, 2012, the Commission took up these issues with the Chief Secretary, DGP and senior civil, police and jail officials at a meeting. They were also sensitized on handling issues of human rights violations. Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan appreciated some unique provisions started by the State Government, which included scholarships to the Scheduled Castes students for pilot training and higher studies abroad. However, he said that more steps needed to be taken up by the State authorities to implement some specific provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which included holding of State vigilance committee meeting twice a year to monitor and review implementation of laws for protection of rights of Scheduled Castes. He also said that the State Government should expedite its compliance report on the recommendations given by the NHRC on the issue of paying monetary relief to the victims of silicosis.
At the end of the open hearing the Chairperson accompanied by Member, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel and senior officers also addressed a press conference.