Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC) India on December 10, 2020, organised an online function on its premises in New Delhi to celebrate Human Rights Day. Addressing from the Andaman as the Chief Guest of the event, Union Minister of State for Hoem Affairs Nityanand Rai said that India, in line with the spirit of its Vedic traditions and Constitutional framework, is committed to protecting human rights and strengthening the NHRC. NHRC Member Justice P C Pant presided over the function in the presence of Members :Jyotika Kalra, Dr. D M Mulay, and Secretary General Bimbadhar Pradhan and other senior officers.
Rai said that the rights of the people can be protected when they not only are made aware of these rights but also have access to remedy. In this context, he said that the government is empowering the local Panchayats and focusing on the digitisation of services. The National Digital Health Mission is yet another latest step in this direction, he said. He said that people’s welfare is key to the protection and promotion of their human rights. Keeping this in view, the government has launched various welfare schemes for all including the women, children, and migrant labourers. Theyinclude, among others, Ujjwala Yojana, Skill India, Make in India, Aatamnirbhar Bharat scheme, Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao campaign, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, and Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme.
The Union Minister lauded the work of NHRC for the promotion and protection human rights. He made a special reference to the NHRC Covid-19 related Advisories for the protection of the rights of various sections of society, according to an NHRC release.
Earlier, Justice P C Pant said that it is a time to reaffirm our commitment that human rights should form the basis of all the State policies. This year has been very tough globally for humanity due to COVID-19 pandemic requiring a cohesive response from the public health care system as well as from the general public. The success of the public health care system’s response in dealing with this grave situation depends on how deep-rooted are our fundamentals for respecting the human rights.
Justice Pant said that during last eight months from April 1, 2020, to November 30, 2020, while various parts of the country were impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission registered 46,544 complaints and disposed of 49,759, including the new and old cases. In 182 cases, monetary relief of Rs 4,75,25,000 was awarded to the families of victims. In 32 cases of human rights violation, suo moto cognisance was taken. Enormous increase in the number of complaints and disposal is indicative of the awareness of Human Rights among the people as also their growing faith in the Commission, he added.