HC notice to government on KSHRC infrastructure

BANGALORE: The High Court on Wednesday ordered notice to the State Government and directed it to file objections within two weeks in a petition seeking adequate infrastructure to ensure effective functioning of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC).The petitioner South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM) in their submission before the Acting Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen stated that the commission is neglected by the State Government in terms of infrastructure and funds. The petitioners submitted that Hman Rights Law has no growth on its own unless the necessary infrastructure for receiving information and conducting investigation is provided. The commission runs in a small 4,500 sq feet space which is insufficient to meet the present requirements, the SICHREM contended. Mentioning that the staff provided to the commission is very abysmal, the petitioners said that of the total 491 staff members sought by the commission, the government has sanctioned only 105 staff members. “The sanctioned posts are also not filled by the commission. Only 77 employees are presently working,” submitted Siji Malayil, counsel for the petitioners.He further stated that the cadre and recruitment rules for the staff of the commission are not yet notified by the government. The KSHRC plans to open its wings in six police ranges of the state, he submitted. Despite the allocation of Rs. 7 crore in the budget, only Rs. 2.25 crore has been sanctioned till date. The petitioners also sought directions to the State Government to extend its cooperation to the commission and provide adequate infrastructure at the earliest.