<p>He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day national seminar on ‘Good governance, human rights and judiciary,’ organised by NHRC and department of studies in political science, University of Mysore, at B N Bahadur auditorium here on Monday.<br /><br />The system should be voice of the voiceless and be able to bring all marginalised people to mainstream of the society. Referring to those in the seat of power, he said they should have the ability to see the people in immediate vicinity and be their voice. It’s also the sole purpose of the commission, he added.<br /><br />However, he lamented that though the government does its best, the programmes are not reaching the needy owing to middlemen. Balakrishnan sounded optimistic — saying that Indian government may take a cue from the government of Brazil in the future, by taking a newer step in identifying the beneficiaries. The government of Brazil has adopted a different procedure to directly extend financial assistance to the people, by keeping a close watch on the eiligible for sometime to avail the benefits.<br /><br />Effective PR<br />Balakrishnan said the panchayat raj system has an effective role to play by implementing the demands of the people. Moreover, people should be vested right to be a part of policy making, giving them an opportunity to demand their own needs.<br /><br />States on MGNREGS<br />On implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) Balakrishnan said most of the State governments have failed in effectively implementing the programme. The situation is such that, in some cases there is a delay on the part of the state government by not availing the funds available. In case of others, though the fund has been sanctioned, they remain in exchequer.<br /><br />He complimented Tamil Nadu for making most of the programme by ensuring labour for 85 per cent of women. In a way, women in that state are empowered.<br /><br />Targeting youth<br />He said NHRC is for close interactions with universities, as it’s the youth and academia the future of the nation. Earlier when there was a thinking on hosting the seminar, it was either Kolkata or other places. But, it was he who zeroed in on Mysore, for the city having more intellectuals, said Balakrishnan.<br /><br />The commission since its inception in 1993 has come a long way indeed receiving one lakh complaints per year, compared to 400 in its nascent days. Most of them pertains to police department for illegal detention. Balakrishnan was happy to note that of the 66 complaints of custodial deaths received so far across the nation, no such complaints have been received from Karnataka state.<br /><br />NHRC secretary general Rajiv Sharma, director Sanjay Dubey, assistant director S K Shukla, former vice-chancellor of Delhi University G Mishra, Mysore varsity vice chancellor V G Talawar, registrar P S Naik, former HoD, Hindi Thippeswamy and chairperson of political science department Mishraful Hirani and others were present.<br /></p>
<p>He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day national seminar on ‘Good governance, human rights and judiciary,’ organised by NHRC and department of studies in political science, University of Mysore, at B N Bahadur auditorium here on Monday.<br /><br />The system should be voice of the voiceless and be able to bring all marginalised people to mainstream of the society. Referring to those in the seat of power, he said they should have the ability to see the people in immediate vicinity and be their voice. It’s also the sole purpose of the commission, he added.<br /><br />However, he lamented that though the government does its best, the programmes are not reaching the needy owing to middlemen. Balakrishnan sounded optimistic — saying that Indian government may take a cue from the government of Brazil in the future, by taking a newer step in identifying the beneficiaries. The government of Brazil has adopted a different procedure to directly extend financial assistance to the people, by keeping a close watch on the eiligible for sometime to avail the benefits.<br /><br />Effective PR<br />Balakrishnan said the panchayat raj system has an effective role to play by implementing the demands of the people. Moreover, people should be vested right to be a part of policy making, giving them an opportunity to demand their own needs.<br /><br />States on MGNREGS<br />On implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) Balakrishnan said most of the State governments have failed in effectively implementing the programme. The situation is such that, in some cases there is a delay on the part of the state government by not availing the funds available. In case of others, though the fund has been sanctioned, they remain in exchequer.<br /><br />He complimented Tamil Nadu for making most of the programme by ensuring labour for 85 per cent of women. In a way, women in that state are empowered.<br /><br />Targeting youth<br />He said NHRC is for close interactions with universities, as it’s the youth and academia the future of the nation. Earlier when there was a thinking on hosting the seminar, it was either Kolkata or other places. But, it was he who zeroed in on Mysore, for the city having more intellectuals, said Balakrishnan.<br /><br />The commission since its inception in 1993 has come a long way indeed receiving one lakh complaints per year, compared to 400 in its nascent days. Most of them pertains to police department for illegal detention. Balakrishnan was happy to note that of the 66 complaints of custodial deaths received so far across the nation, no such complaints have been received from Karnataka state.<br /><br />NHRC secretary general Rajiv Sharma, director Sanjay Dubey, assistant director S K Shukla, former vice-chancellor of Delhi University G Mishra, Mysore varsity vice chancellor V G Talawar, registrar P S Naik, former HoD, Hindi Thippeswamy and chairperson of political science department Mishraful Hirani and others were present.<br /></p>
