Over 200 complaints remain pending with JKSHRC

Over 200 complaints of human rights violations are pending with Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (JKSHRC) as the body is without a chairperson and members from the last one year, the Commission said in its annual report today.
JKSHRC has received 138 complaints (cases) at its headquarter (Srinagar) and 69 complaints at its sub-office (Jammu) which are pending for want of cognizance/action due to non-availability of chairperson/members, the Commission said in its annual report for the year 2014-15, which was tabled in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council.
The Commission received 151 complaints during the year 2014-15, whereas 131 cases were disposed off during the corresponding period.

The Commission, in its report, said its recommendations were either "not followed or declined to be complied with on flimsy grounds and that too on the report of low rung officials of the revenue agency or police department."
The recommendations are based after full inquiry of evidence and documentary material recorded and on examination of documents with the assistance of parties who are provided full opportunity to put their case before the Commission.
"There is no justification to sit on the recommendations and to conduct fresh inquiry(ies) with the result the complainant(s) dismay to see the approach of the authorities/functionaries, though they are/ have been provided justice after two or three years from JKSHRC," the Commission said.

This practice encourages corruption and misuse of power of officers of the department concerned. The same should be stopped henceforth, the report said.
Complaining about the lack of adequate funds, the Commission said "we have been repeatedly requesting the government to allot the funds in the shape of grants as provided U/S 21 of the ACT, instead of normal annual budgetary allotment.