A high level delegation led by Justice Shri H.L. Dattu, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission comprising Members, Justice Shri D. Murugesan and Shri S.C. Sinha and senior officers held a day long "Open Hearing-cum-Camp Sitting" of the Commission at Puducherry on the 16th December, 2016.
After the inauguration of the programme by Justice Dattu, 17 cases were taken up in the "Open Hearing" on the complaints related to the rights violations and grievances of people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled in the presence of the senior officers of the administration. Nine cases were disposed after considering the submissions made by the complainants and the concerned Union Territory Authorities. In one case of prima facie violation of human rights, the Commission issued show cause notice u/s 18 of the PHR Act, 1993 to the Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry and in seven other cases further reports were called from the concerned authorities.
This was followed by an interaction with the NGOs who shared their concerns particularly on care and treatment of mentally ill persons, bonded labour, child labour, structural discrimination and excesses by the authorities.
Thereafter, an interaction was held with the senior officers of the Union Territory wherein the concerns expressed by the NGOs were shared along with focus on prompt submission of response to the notices issued by the Commission, implementation of the flagship programmes as well as the various guidelines issued by the Commission. Later the media was briefed by the Chairperson and Members about the outcome of the Open Hearing and Camp Sitting.