State HRC still headless

Though Commission’s Chairman and two members retired long ago, there is no move to fill the posts so far

​Hyderabad: The fate of the AP State Human Rights Commission hangs in balance as the post of Chairperson and two members are vacant for a long time. The Human Rights Commission is yet to be bifurcated between Telangana State and AP.

Two members of the Commission retired a year ago and the Chairperson retired about six months ago. At present only Commission’s Secretary, who is a retired District Sessions Judge, is performing all the duties single-handedly.

Potturi Suresh Kumar, General Secretary, AP Civil Liberties Association, filed a petition, seeking directions to the government for filling up the posts of Chairperson and members. The High Court had issued notices to Andhra Pradesh government.

The Commission has to be bifurcated as per the AP State Reorganisation Act. But, the proposal is pending with the Union government. Officials felt that the posts of the members and Chairperson cannot be filled until the process of bifurcation was completed.

To select the new chairperson and members a selection committee consisting of Chief Minister, Leaders of the Opposition in Assembly and Council, Speaker of Assembly and Chairperson of Legislative Council and the Home Minister should be constituted.

This cannot be possible till a separate Human Rights Commission is constituted for the Telangana State. But some advocates feel that the State government could take a middle course. The High Court of Telangana and AP is now called as High Court at Hyderabad and Lokayukta also Lokayukta is Telangana and AP.

Speaking to The Hans India, a well-known advocate Pandem Damodar Reddy said, “We have been demanding for the constitution of separate Commission of Telangana since the formation of the new State.”