NHRC decides to scan health, water facilities

Going beyond its knee-jerk reaction to incidents of physical abuse, the National Human Rights Commission plans to usher in good governance i...

Going beyond its knee-jerk reaction to incidents of physical abuse, the National Human Rights Commission plans to usher in good governance in the states by holding them accountable for poor health services and drinking water for the weaker sections of society.

‘‘Considering the past developments in this sector affecting the human rights of vulnerable sections, the time has come that the Commission focus on selected areas which deprive the vulnerable sections a right to lead a life with dignity,’’ said a recent missive from the NHRC to chief secretaries of all states.

The NHRC has decided to take up the two sectors in 2005-06 on a war-footing, where it will prepare a report card of the states’ performance and spell out measures that each state must take to ensure every citizen’s right on both issues.

Story continues below this ad

The report would encompass a review of existing laws from a human rights perspective and make appropriate recommendations for amendments.

For that, the states have been told to submit data on their targets and achievements between 2001-2004, as well as outline steps that have been implemented or are proposed to be taken in the two social sectors. The states have three months to furnish the details.

It said that human rights were essentially issues of good governance and that it was imperative that the institutions concerned sincerely discharge their responsibility according to the law.

The Commission told states that proper accountability was needed, otherwise, human rights are violated if a vast number of people remained illiterate and had poor access to health and drinking water.

Story continues below this ad

The NHRC plans to institute mechanisms for joint monitoring of the progress and invoke laws to make its recommendations mandatory. It also plans to get the states to specify legal and organisational steps that would operationalise people’s rights.

Uttarakhand rain: 12 in Chamoli go missing as buildings collapse, rescue ops underway

India2 hr ago

At least 12 people have gone missing in Uttarakhand after a rainfall-triggered debris slide hit Nandnagar of Chamoli district early on Thursday, bringing down several buildings. The administration and rescue teams have reached the spot to search for the missing individuals.

View all shorts

Live Blog