NHRC seeks reply from Punjab, Karnataka over rights violations

Taking note of "serious violation" of human rights in two cases in Punjab and Karnataka, National Human Rights Commission today issued notices and sought response from the state governments.
While Punjab's Principal Secretary of Health was issued a notice over reports that a primary health centre in Moga was operating without power for the past 21 years, the same was issued to Karnataka Chief Secretary over reports of senior citizens losing eyesight after a free cataract surgery camp at Mandya.
The Karnataka government has been given four weeks to submit a report in the matter while two weeks has been given to the Punjab government.

"According to the media report, after the efforts to restore power supply to the PHC failed, the Health Department in Moga asked the state government to close it as it was difficult for doctors and para-medical staff to work there," a NHRC release observed.
On the other case, the Commission observed that the eye camp was organised at Bhagwan Mahavir Eye Hospital on the April 1 under the 'National Swasthya Beema Yojana'.
"Few days after the surgery, the patients started feeling severe itching leading to swelling in the operated eye and slowly lost vision," it said.