NHRC's "Open Hearing" and "Camp Sitting" in Bhopal

The National Human Rights Commission organized a three day programme of 'Open Hearing' and 'Camp Sitting' in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh from the 10th-12th September, 2014. The Commission heard 74 matters in the 'Open Hearing' in the three Benches headed by Justice Shri K. G. Balakrishnan, Justice Shri Cyriac Joseph and Shri S. C. Sinha and passed recommendations for suitable line of action by the State officers towards relief to the victims. About 20 cases were finally disposed of after hearing the complainants and the authorities. The complaints were mainly related to discrimination, land compensation, false implication by police, payment of pensionary benefits, granting of Scheduled Caste status, payment of relief, rehabilitation and compensation on displacement.
In the Camp sitting, 45 cases, pending action by the State Government, were taken up by the Full Commission and its two Division Benches. Division Bench - I, comprised Members, Justice Shri Cyriac Joseph and Shri S.C. Sinha. Division Bench-II, comprised Chairperson, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan and Member, Justice Shri D. Murugesan. The Full Commission took up 31 cases, out of which 14 were finally disposed of. The two Division Benches took up seven cases each. The Commission recommended an amount of Rs. 27 lakh as relief in six cases. These included, compensation of Rs. 3 lakh each to the next of kin of four persons who died in District Panna due to Silicosis and Rs. 25 thousnad each to the 12 women who developed serious complications after surgery of tubectomy at community health centre, Tyonda, District Vidisha and Rs. 5 lakh in a case of death in police custody in District Datia. The Commission asked the State Government to submit copies of health survey of mine workers. The State Government was also asked to submit the proof of payment to the next of kin of remaining 17 persons who died in a stampede at Ratanagarh Temple in District Datia along with a copy of the judicial enquiry report and action taken report. In the eight cases, the State Government submitted the proof of payment of monetary relief recommended by the Commission.
The Commission held a meeting with NGOs, who raised several issues related to bonded labour and child labour, non-payment of appropriate wages, long working hours, non-registration of FIRs by police, untouchability, discrimination, shortage of drinking water and electricity supply, land distribution on pattas to the Adivasis, non-implementation of Forest Rights Act, missing children, non-establishment of Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees in 16 Districts, as well as the issues relating to crime against women.
In the meeting with senior officers, the issues raised by the NGOs were discussed for taking appropriate remedial measures. Issues relating to implementation of flagship programmes of Govt. of India and welfare schemes of the State Government, condition of government hospitals and health services, Public Distribution System, Silicosis, delay in submission of requisite reports to the Commission and compliance of the Commission's recommendations were also taken up. Non-registration of FIRs by police, jails reforms etc. were also discussed. In particular, the Commission focused on the need for proper implementation and monitoring of the laws relating to bonded labour and child labour. This included proper rehabilitation of the freed bonded labourers. The officers were told that there was a need for comprehensive survey on the bonded labour practice in the State to ensure that release and rehabilitation measures were effective.