UP Administration urged to be more vigilant and sensitive to human rights
The Commission has urged the Uttar Pradesh Government to be more vigilant and sensitive to complaints of human rights violations. This would help in improving its record and image in respect of human rights, especially since the Commission has been receiving a very large number of complaints of human rights violations from UP.
The Chairperson of this Commission, Justice J.S. Verma alongwith senior officials met the State Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police and senior officials in Lucknow. He drew the attention of the State authorities to some specific instances of human rights violations, which have been reported to the Commission. Justice Verma pointed out that the administration needed to adopt an impartial attitude and greater sensitivity to avoid recurrence of human rights violations.
It may be mentioned that UP accounts for over 50 per cent of the total number of complaints received by the Commission every year. During the year 2000-2001, the Commission received 71,559 complaints of human rights violations of which 40,445 complaints were from UP. The Commission drew attention of the State officials to the need for the early setting-up of the State Human Rights Commission, as this was long overdue. The Principal Home Secretary assured that the formalities were being finalized and the matter would soon be placed before the competent authority.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh had issued a notice as far back as 4 April 1996 to constitute a State Human Rights Commission. However, it had later withdrawn the notification. Upon the initiative of the NHRC, the Allahabad High Court, on 10 January 2000, had directed the UP Government to take expeditious steps for setting up the State Human Rights Commission.
Attention of the State authorities was also drawn to the lack of medical facilities and infrastructure to impart education and vocational training to the inmates of the Agra Protective Home. The Supreme Court has directed the NHRC to oversee the administration of this Home along with some others. The Commission, however, expressed satisfaction at the work being done at the Agra Mental Hospital. The State Government gave an assurance that it would work towards improving conditions in the other mental homes at Bareilly and Varanasi. The State officials also apprised the Commission of the actions being taken to improve the conditions of destitute women, particularly the widows residing in Vrindavan.
Regarding the eradication of child labour in carpet industry, the Commission expressed its appreciation of the excellent work done by the District Magistrates in the carpet-belt of the State. However, there had been reports of the use of child labour in slaughterhouses. The Chief Secretary informed the Commission that the administration was aware of the matter and would soon inform the Commission about the actions being taken.
The Commission also pointed out that in 76 important cases, besides 29 cases of custodial death, reports to NHRC from the UP Government were pending. The Chief Secretary gave an assurance of early compliance in these cases. The Commission asked the UP Government to avoid delay in the issuing of prosecution sanctions after investigations are completed by the CID, as this adversely affected the prosecution of the offenders. The Chief Secretary said that he would get the matter examined and carry out necessary rectifications.
The Chairperson of this Commission, Justice J.S. Verma alongwith senior officials met the State Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police and senior officials in Lucknow. He drew the attention of the State authorities to some specific instances of human rights violations, which have been reported to the Commission. Justice Verma pointed out that the administration needed to adopt an impartial attitude and greater sensitivity to avoid recurrence of human rights violations.
It may be mentioned that UP accounts for over 50 per cent of the total number of complaints received by the Commission every year. During the year 2000-2001, the Commission received 71,559 complaints of human rights violations of which 40,445 complaints were from UP. The Commission drew attention of the State officials to the need for the early setting-up of the State Human Rights Commission, as this was long overdue. The Principal Home Secretary assured that the formalities were being finalized and the matter would soon be placed before the competent authority.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh had issued a notice as far back as 4 April 1996 to constitute a State Human Rights Commission. However, it had later withdrawn the notification. Upon the initiative of the NHRC, the Allahabad High Court, on 10 January 2000, had directed the UP Government to take expeditious steps for setting up the State Human Rights Commission.
Attention of the State authorities was also drawn to the lack of medical facilities and infrastructure to impart education and vocational training to the inmates of the Agra Protective Home. The Supreme Court has directed the NHRC to oversee the administration of this Home along with some others. The Commission, however, expressed satisfaction at the work being done at the Agra Mental Hospital. The State Government gave an assurance that it would work towards improving conditions in the other mental homes at Bareilly and Varanasi. The State officials also apprised the Commission of the actions being taken to improve the conditions of destitute women, particularly the widows residing in Vrindavan.
Regarding the eradication of child labour in carpet industry, the Commission expressed its appreciation of the excellent work done by the District Magistrates in the carpet-belt of the State. However, there had been reports of the use of child labour in slaughterhouses. The Chief Secretary informed the Commission that the administration was aware of the matter and would soon inform the Commission about the actions being taken.
The Commission also pointed out that in 76 important cases, besides 29 cases of custodial death, reports to NHRC from the UP Government were pending. The Chief Secretary gave an assurance of early compliance in these cases. The Commission asked the UP Government to avoid delay in the issuing of prosecution sanctions after investigations are completed by the CID, as this adversely affected the prosecution of the offenders. The Chief Secretary said that he would get the matter examined and carry out necessary rectifications.