NHRC conducts hearing, asks for further report

The full bench commission of NHRC which arrived here on Monday, conducted hearing of 10 cases and adjudicated eight of them on Tuesday.  

Seeking response from the state government on various government programmes being implemented in the KBK region, it raised questions over mismanagement in health, education, public distribution system and the implementation of Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTPA). Not satisfied with the report submitted by the state government, the NHRC has directed it for another report and asked to fill up the vacant positions in health sector with making changes in the transfer policy of doctors.

“The commission was not fully satisfied with the replies furnished on health sector and the public distribution system in the concerned districts. Therefore we are asking for further reports from the state government which would be again put for verification”, said K. S. Moni, Secretary General, NHRC.

Directing to act upon the directions, the commission asked for further reports on issuing special circular to abolish untouchability and bonded labour system in Puri. Asking to conduct a survey again on the socio-economic conditions of this area and to report the commission on the status quo of Tata Steel project at Gopalpur, it also sought response on compensation for the affected people due to Salandi project.

“The discussion between the complainants and concerned officers will definitely help to change the mindset of the officers”, said Byaghrambar Patnaik, a Human Rights activist.

At the hearing, Chief secretary of the state, Home secretary, Health secretary, secretary of women and child development, DG of Police, and other senior officers were present.

On the second hearing of NHRC on Wednesday, the commission is supposed to discuss on what steps the government has taken as per its direction. It has also scheduled a meeting with 50 NGOs.