Question : SETTING UP OF SHRC



(a) the names of States that have set up State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in their respective States;

(b) whether the Supreme Court has expressed displeasure at the State Governments`Human Rights;`

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the State Government in this regard;and

(d) the steps taken by the Union Government to ensure setting up of State Human Rights Commissions in all the States and their accountability in cases of human rights violations?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)

(a) 23 States have so far set up State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs). These States are Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and West Bengal.

(b) to (d) The Government is not aware of displeasure expressed by the Supreme Court in this regard. As per Section 21 of the PHR Act, 1993, it is for the State Government to take action for setting up of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and also for providing the required infrastructure, manpower etc. The National Human Rights Commission from time to time requests the State Governments for the early establishment of SHRCs and on 18.12.2012, the Chairperson, NHRC had written to the defaulting States for expediting the setting up of SHRCs.The Government has also regularly written to the States concerned for setting up SHRCs expeditiously.