The three-day programme of NHRC's 'Open Hearing' and 'Camp Sitting' began in Bhopal on Wednesday.
NHRC chairperson Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who inaugurated the programme, said that the commission has been organizing such programmes of public hearings in different states of the country from time to time to reach out to people and have a first-hand account of the problems faced by Dalits and issues of the violations of their rights.
The Commission's visits are aimed at helping the state governments in promoting good governance. Madhya Pradesh has a large number of marginalized sections of society. The Commission has come to the state to impress upon the government to improve the situation related to people's rights violations.
Minister of State, General Administration, Lal Singh Arya, said the state government is committed to protection of Dalits' rights and will implement the NHRC's recommendations in fulfillment of constitutional obligations in this regard. He assured that efforts will be made to do whatever more is needed to be done in the interest of human rights as the per directions of the Commission.
Anthony de Sa, Chief Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh government, said that the NHRC through such programmes has strengthened its reputation in the minds of people. The visit of the Commission will underline the importance of human rights in the State. The government will accord top priority to the implementation of the directions of the Commission.
A. K. Garg, Registrar (law), NHRC, earlier said that the subject of human rights is very vast. Giving a background of the 'Open Hearings', he expressed the hope that the appropriate authorities will extend constructive support to the Commission in its endeavour to give relief to the victims of Scheduled Caste communities.
He said that while the Commission conducted enquiries in matters of violation of rights, it would be unjust to the people if the state authorities delay the implementation of its recommendations or submission of reports. He requested for early action.
NHRC members Justice Cyriac Joseph and S. C. Sinha, Secretary General, Rajesh Kishore, Director General (Investigation), Kanwaljit Deol and several senior officers of the Commission and the state government were present on the occasion.
The Commission heard 74 fresh complainants in the 'Open Hearing' in the three benches headed by Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, Justice Cyriac Joseph and S. C. Sinha and passed appropriate recommendations for relief to the victims.
The complaints were mainly related to discrimination, land compensation, false implication, payment of retiral benefits, granting of Scheduled Caste status, payment of relief, rehabilitation and compensation on displacement.
In the camp sitting tomorrow, 45 cases pending in the Commission will be taken up by the Full Commission and its two Division Benches.
