Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 5: State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is perturbed over the State Government’s casual approach towards its numerous recommendations particularly pertaining to carrying out amendments in the J&K Protection of Human Rights Act and fully empowering it by posting Chairman and adequate employees besides extending financial support.
In its annual report for 2011-2012 year, the Commission said, “in view of the real difficulties at the ground level and to minimize inconvenience, delay and enormous expenses, which the poor and indigent affectees/concerned members of public are facing, and to give this constitutional body due dignity, status and authority, the Commission proposed number of amendments to the J&K Protection of Human Rights Act and Rules”.
However, no action has been taken till date despite forwarding of logistic, administrative, financial and structural needs to the Government from time to time, the report said while reiterating its demand in this regard in full flow.
The Commission has also highlighted the importance of introducing human rights as part of curriculum/syllabus at primary/secondary and graduation levels in education institutions. “Similarly, to sensitize the police and to make it rights friendly the Commission has time and again impressed the need of addressing this issue and even sent repeated communications not only to Chief Minister but to Education and Law Ministers besides the other high-ups on bureaucratic level of the Government”, the report said.
Stating that the recommendations of the Commission are based on concrete evidence and careful examination of the documents/material, the report said, “it is unfortunate that the suggestions made by the Commission are in some cases for the most part either not followed or declined to be complied with on flimsy grounds and that too on the report of a low rung official of the revenue agency or Police Department”, adding “the view/recommendation of the Commission should receive due attention, get adequate weightage impressed by hallmark of responsibility, positive attitude and preferably command mandatory status by bringing necessary amendment to the relevant provisions of the Act”.
About the manpower constraints being faced by the Commission, the report said, “the Government has not taken any step for the last more than a year to fill up vacancies by deputing suitable officers against the posts”, adding “the vacancies in the Commission have adversely affected the smooth working of the Commission”.
“The insensitivity of the Government towards the Commission can be gauged from the fact that SHRC is working without Chairperson since October 24, 2011 and also term of one of the members has expired in November 2011”, the report signed by three members of the Commission—Amalok Singh, Rafiq Fida and Javid Kawoos said.
“The matter is being agitated and re-agitated by the media day-in and day-out, which doesn’t go well with the working of the Commission and also the vacancies of Chairperson and one member has increased the work load and has affected the working of the Commission”, the report further said.
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