BHRC member proposes amendment to Human Rights Act

Plagued by shortage of hands, a member of Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has proposed amendment of the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 to induct persons as ex-officio and deemed members on the lines of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
In the proposal sent to BHRC Chairperson Bilal Nazki with copies sent to the secretaries of the Home and Law Departments, Commission Member Neelmani has called for incorporating chairpersons of state Commissions for Women, Minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Child Rights, Child Labour and other similar bodies as ex-officio members.
"This will go a long way in generating suitable response to the Human Rights issues in Bihar. It is a big state and more ex-officio members will provide a wide reach to BHRC, and at the same time, lead to increase in awareness among the people about their natural rights," Neelmani said.

In his proposal, Neelmani has quoted Section 3 (3) of the PHRA, which deals with the constitution of NHRC and requested to amend the Act to have similar provisions in the states as well.