Open Hearing and Camp Sitting

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC organized two day's 'Open Hearing and Camp Sitting' at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from the 26th -27th April, 2018. The Commission, in its four benches presided over by the Chairperson, Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu, Members, Mr. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Mrs. Jyotika Kalra heard 136 cases in the 'Open Hearing' on the atrocities and grievances of the people belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribes communities.
Out of these, 63 cases were closed after the reports on action taken by the authorities were found satisfactory and proof of payment of Rs. 4 Lakh was received. In 40 cases, further reports were called. In 05 cases, the State Government informed that the sanction for relief was given in accordance with the provisions of the SC & ST (PoA) Act & Rules. The Commission recommended monetary relief of Rs. 3.25 Lakh in some cases.
The State Government was asked to submit a comprehensive report in a case of alleged deaths of 165 people, while cleaning manholes and non-payment of Rs. 10 lakhs as per the March, 2014 order of the Supreme Court.
The cases of release of pensionary benefits and other retiral benefits, payment of wages to employees of certain companies through Labour Department, rehabilitation and relief for an 11 year old rape victim, ex-gratia relief for family of a woman, who had died due to negligence of doctor(s) in Banaskantha, were also taken up. The concerned District Magistrates were sensitized for counseling the local bodies and the groups in districts, from where complaints were received about the prevention of Dalits entry into temples, barber facilities and taking marriage processions etc.
On the second day, 19 old cases were considered during the Full Commission sitting. These included cases of Silicosis deaths, deaths in hospital(s), killing of tribals in district Sabarkantha, construction of a bridge for school going children in Junagarh district etc. The Full Commission recommended a total monetary relief of Rs. 8 Lakh in 03 cases and in other cases, either the proof of payment was submitted or the payment of relief was at an advance stage of consideration.
The Full Commission meeting was followed by an interaction with the NGOs and Human Rights Defenders, who raised numerous issues including untouchability and caste based atrocities in almost 75% of the villages and the reluctance of the police to register cases pertaining to these issues. Attention was also invited to the Forest Land issues pertaining to Tribals, non-implementation of the Food Security Act and non provision of admissible relief to the poor in Panchmahal District, besides non-issue of job cards under MNREGA scheme. An issue pertaining to constructions in Ahmedabad by Builders in violation of laws was also raised.
The interaction with NGOs was followed by a meeting with the senior officers of the Government of Gujarat including the Chief Secretary and DGPs and the senior officers of the two Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu for sensitizing them on their role in better protection of human rights. They assured their full cooperation and commitment for the protection of human rights of all and particularly, the marginalized sections of Society.
Earlier, inaugurating the 'Open Hearing and Camp Sitting', Mr. Justice H. L. Dattu emphasized that such camp sittings facilitate speedy disposal of cases. Wider interactions with the diverse stakeholders help understand the key concerns of the people from the marginalized sections of society. Apart from monetary compensation for violation of human rights and action against the perpetrators, the camp sittings help strengthening of partnership between the Commission, State, Civil Society and media towards promotion and protection of human rights.
Dr. J. N. Singh, Chief Secretary of the Government of Gujarat, said that the state government was committed to work for the welfare of the people. Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Secretary General,NHRC emphasized upon the need for creation of mass awareness programmes for the protection of rights of all at the grass-root level.