Topics Covered: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):
Why in News?
NHRC has ordered the Assam government to pay ₹1 lakh to a 48-year-old man who was thrashed more than a year ago in Biswanath district for selling cooked beef at his tea stall at a weekly market.
Relevance of this article for UPSC exam:
From this article, we can understand whether NHRC has powers to recommend payment of compensation or not.
About National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):
It is a statutory body established on 12th October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
The Act also provides for the creation of the State Human Rights Commission as well.
Composition:
The chairperson is a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
They are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of:
- Prime Minister (head)
- Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament
- Union Home Minister.
Term and removal:
They hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
The President can remove them from the office under specific circumstances.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- NHRC- composition.
- Functions
- Selection of chairman and members.
- Term and removal.
- Key changes introduced by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Sources: the Hindu.
