Says, Human Rights Commission committed to protecting citizens’ rughts, upholding constitutional guarantees
Jalandhar (July 18): Reaffirming the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the constitutional and human rights of every citizen, Commission Member and Padma Shri awardee Jitender Singh Shunty on Saturday conducted an open hearing camp at DRV DAV Centenary Public School, Phillaur, where he heard public grievances and issued on-the-spot directions to officials for their prompt redressal.
Accompanied by SDM Phillaur Deepak Bhatia and DSP Phillaur Bharat Bhushan, Mr. Shunty said the Commission was holding such public hearing camps across Punjab to spread awareness about human rights and ensure that justice reaches people at the grassroots level.
Highlighting a major initiative, Mr. Shunty said the Punjab Government, following the Commission’s suggesstions, has issued a notification making it mandatory for hospitals to release the bodies of deceased persons irrespective of pending medical bills. He mentioned that the Punjab has become first state in the country to pass such orders, thereby strenthing human rights at grassroots. He also warned that strict legal action would be taken against any hospital found withholding a body over unpaid dues. He also directed the Health Department to ensure effective implementation of the orders through regular inspections and emphasized the need for adequate mortuary facilities to preserve the dignity of the deceased. He added that the Commission has also issued an advisory to facilitate free cremation of economically weaker families.
Describing the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign as a significant initiative against drug abuse, Mr. Shunty stressed the need for coordinated efforts to eradicate the menace. Sharing sub division-wise progress, DSP Bharat Bhushan informed that 687 FIRs had been registered in Phillaur under the campaign, over 900 drug peddlers arrested and substantial quantities of narcotics seized, while nearly 100 drug-affected persons had been rehabilitated.
Calling NGOs the “eyes and ears” of the Commission, Mr. Shunty urged voluntary organisations to work closely with the administration in identifying and reporting cases of human rights violations. He appreciated the contribution of NGOs in Jalandhar towards social welfare.
He also informed that the Commission has launched a dedicated helpline 9855475547 and an online complaint portal www.pshrc.net to enable citizens to report human rights violations, assuring that genuine complaints would be acted upon within two days. Mr. Shunty further said that public awareness had increased significantly, with the Commission now receiving over 500 complaints daily compared to just 40–50 earlier. He also introduced core team of the Commission which will work on ground level on various issues to assist people with respect to human rights issues.
He also described the Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojna as a landmark healthcare initiative offering cashless treatment up to Rs. 10 lakh and urged people to avail themselves of its benefits.
Coordinator Yudh Nashian Virudh Pankaj Bhardwaj, Ajay Bheel, Mohinder Kaur Kataria, Jagriti Singh and SMO Dr. Sunita Aggarwal were also present on the occasion.
