Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice Vijendra Jain admitted on Monday that nearly 900 cases had been filed in the Commission; however, only 200 cases could be disposed off so far.
He further said that nearly 40 per cent of the cases were related with police, while 60 per cent cases were related to education, PWD, pension and environment.
Taking a suo moto cognisance, Jain ordered the issuance of a notice to Pauri Municipal Council for not taking proper steps for disposal of garbage and waste management in the area under its jurisdiction.
The Pauri Municipality has been given two weeks to respond with information on aspects including long term steps for waste management. The Commission has fixed March 25 for hearing the case. Regarding the complaint about tyres being used for cremation due to unavailability of wood, Jain has sought a brief report on this from the Garhwal Commissioner. Talking to media persons at the Circuit House in Pauri on Monday, UHRC Chairman Justice Jain stressed that the aim of the Commission was to protect the human rights accorded by the constitution, Supreme Court and International Court of Justice. He said that after hearing and redressing cases at Pauri, the Commission would conduct its programme in remote areas of the State instead of Dehradun. The next programmes would be held in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts.
Justice Jain said that no infrastructure has been provided for the office of UHRC in Dehradun which is being run from a building spread across 500 sq ft. Member of UHRC Justice R Tandon, Hemlata Dhondiyal and Inspector PS Rautela were present along with the staff of commission here on Monday while the cases filed in the commission were heard.