National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Secretary Satya Narayan Mohanty on Thursday asked the State Government to implement the NHRC guidelines in a more effective way for protection of rights of women and children while expressing satisfaction over the steps already taken in the State.
Reviewing implementation of NHRC guidelines with Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Mohanty said, “Some good steps have been taken by the State in implementation of the provisions of Mahila and Shishu desk in the police stations.”
After the meeting, the Chief Secretary told reporters that matters relating to implementation of human rights action points by various departments were reviewed in the meeting. Necessary suggestions and action points were decided for more effective implementation of human right matters in coming days, he said.
The issues relating to strengthening of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), opening of human rights cell in the Home Department, implementation of NHRC guideline in case of custodial deaths/encounters, reduction of under-trail population, creation of awareness on women rights, setting up of women police stations, fast tracking of atrocity cases, implementation of Juvenile Justice Act , functioning of District Child welfare Committees, designation of special officers for care and protection of children, functioning of children homes, Swadhara homes, eradication of manual scavenging and bonded labourers were discussed.
Implementation of rights to health, mental health care, MGNREGA, and the National Food Security Act was also reviewed.
The NHRC Secretary informed that the full body of the commission may visit the State sometime in December and January.
Home Special Secretary lalit Das that under-trail review committees are regularly reviewing issues relating to reduction of under-trial population in the jails. Presently, 87 jails are operating in the State having total inmate capacity of 18,012 and steps are on to open four more jails with intake capacity of 1,904.
While six Mahila Police Stations are operating, Mahila and Shishu desks are operating in all 537 police stations. A total number of 37 Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Units are functioning for tracking and prevention of the trafficking of women and children.