Bhubaneswar- On the two days of its official visit to Odisha, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India held a comprehensive hearing at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar, addressing a wide range of human rights violation cases reported from across the state. The public hearing was chaired by NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian, along with Commission Members Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Smt. Vijaya Bharati Sayani, and Ms. Priyanka Kanungo.
Joined by NHRC Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal and Registrar (Law) Shri Joginder Singh, the commission handled 121 cases across two benches, ensuring that victims’ grievances were addressed with transparency and urgency.
In the afternoon, the Commission’s leadership met with top Odisha government officials to discuss systemic human rights issues and sought accountability in areas ranging from public health and tribal welfare to women’s and child development. Secretaries and senior officers from departments including Housing & Urban Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, School & Mass Education, Health & Family Welfare, Home, Social Security, Women & Child Development, Forest & Environment, Pollution Control, Water Resources, and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons participated in the consultations.
During the meeting, the NHRC closely reviewed the government’s actions regarding displacement due to infrastructure projects and steps taken to ensure proper rehabilitation. The Commission inquired about measures addressing tribal concerns, environmental degradation, and journalist safety, among other issues. Senior state officials presented detailed reports on new initiatives launched under the current administration, highlighting schemes aligned with the Commission’s earlier recommendations.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasized the state’s commitment to NHRC’s guidance, stating that all recommendations are being taken seriously, with prompt follow-ups and implementation. He further said that the new government is prioritizing public grievances, especially through digitized complaint resolution systems, including real-time online hearings during the Chief Minister’s grievance redressal sessions.
He also outlined the state’s Vision Odisha 2036 and its alignment with the national goal of a developed India by 2047, asserting that inclusive and sustainable development remains the cornerstone of the administration’s governance strategy.
Commissioner-cum-Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretaries Satya Brata Sahu and Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, DGP Arun Bothra, DG Fire Services & Civil Defence Dr. Sudhansu Sarangi, and other key bureaucrats were present in the high-level discussion, representing their departments and sharing progress made on human rights issues.
The NHRC also stressed the need for effective grievance redressal mechanisms through online, email, and telephonic platforms. The Commission observed a decline in the number of complaints being registered, attributing it to the state’s proactive measures and rapid response to citizen issues.
In conclusion, the NHRC commended the Odisha Government’s recent initiatives and forward-looking approach. It also encouraged continued collaborative efforts to enhance the welfare and dignity of all citizens, especially the marginalized and vulnerable sections.
