Chennai, August 7th, 2012
The National Human Rights Commission's open hearing on complaints of atrocities against Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu began at Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Sydenhams Road, Periamet, Chennai today. Inaugurating it, the NHRC Chairperson, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said that through such open hearings the Commission is trying to reach out marginalized and poor sections of society in rural hinterland. The idea is to hear peoples' grievances and convey the same to state authorities with NHRC recommendations to help them in the best possible way. He said that though the NHRC is only a recommendatory body, 99% of its recommendations are complied with by the state authorities.
Justice Balakrishnan said that the NHRC is conscious of its obligations towards the cause of Scheduled Castes. The K.B. Saxena report observed that despite several laws and schemes in place for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, the delivery mechanism is not up to the mark and that the NHRC needed to organize open hearings of issues concerning problems of Scheduled Castes in different states to improve the situation. Thus, the NHRC is trying to reach as many states as possible to hear out the complaints of atrocities against Scheduled Castes. He said that the NHRC's efforts are to help states in good governance and hoped that the state government officers will help the Commission in discharge of its duty.

On the occasion, Mr. A.S. Jeevarathnam, Secretary, Adi Dravida Welfare Department said that the Tamil Nadu Government is committed to the cause of social justice for Scheduled Castes and downtrodden.

Mr. Devendra Nath Sarangi, Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu said that state government does not distinguish between any members of society when it comes to taking welfare measures. Free healthcare and free school education up to 12 standard for all are among some of such measures.

The NHRC heard about 168 complaints in presence of state government officers today in two separate benches of its Members, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel and Mr. Satyabrata Pal respectively. Almost an equal number of complaints will be heard by the two Members tomorrow.

The Commission will also meet the representatives of NGOs and senior state government officers including Chief Secretary and DGP on the 9th August, 2012. The programme will conclude with the media briefing by the NHRC Chairperson and Members.

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