The Hindu : National : Rajya Sabha passes Rights Bill

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Friday, Aug 04, 2006

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National

Rajya Sabha passes Rights Bill

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill. This followed the acceptance by Home Minister Shivraj Patil of the suggestion from the BJP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) that only a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would be appointed as Chairman of the NHRC.

The Bill originally provided for the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge as the NHRC Chairman. However, Arun Jaitley (BJP) and Brinda Karat (CPI-M) felt this would dilute the prestige of the Commission.

Mr. Patil initially said all attempts would be made to find a former Supreme Court Chief Justice for the job and failing this, a retired judge would be appointed. But he later felt the suggestion by the Members was ``good.''

Mr. Patil, however, rejected Ms. Karat's plea, supported by other women members, for having a woman as one of the NHRC members on grounds that this sort of reservation was not possible in the organisation. However, the Government would encourage women to occupy this post based on their merit.

Members also demanded that the award of compensation by the NHRC should be made mandatory instead of recommendatory.

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