nThe National Human Rights Commission on Thursday concluded its ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ in Raipur while recommending payment of Rs. 54 lakh as relief in cases of atrocities related to the rights violation of people belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities in Chhattisgarh.

During the hearing of 54 cases, the State Government officers informed that they have already paid Rs.12.90 lakhs as per the recommendations of the Commission in some cases to the victims.

54 cases were heard in the ‘Open Hearing’ in three benches presided over by the NHRC Chairperson Justice H.L. Dattu, members, Jyotika Kalra and Dr. D.M. Mulay. Thereafter, 13 cases were heard in the Full Commission sitting.  NHRC Secretary General Jaideep Govind, Director General (Investigation) Prabhat Singh, Registrar (Law).

The matters heard in the ‘Open Hearing’ included non-implementation of compensation to 35 women, as recommended by the Commission, non-implementation of healthcare facilities in Maoist-affected districts of the state, air and water pollution, rehabilitation of people rendered homeless on account of implementation of mega project by the NTPC.

Earlier, inaugurating the ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’, the NHRC Chairperson Justice H.L. Dattu said that the public hearings at regular periods provide a platform for speedy justice to SCs/STs and other vulnerable class of the society. Complainants and officials come at one place for speedy justice and succour to the victims. He further said that the human rights defenders are crucial to protection of human rights.