The Punjab Human Rights Commission (PHRC) will enroll a 15-member core group in each district of Punjab to assist the district administration and the Commission in curbing human rights violations and resolving minor grievances at the district level, said Dr. Jitender Singh Shanty, Member, Punjab Human Rights Commission and Padma Shri Awardee, here on Wednesday evening.
Dr. Shanty was addressing a Human Rights Awareness Seminar organised by the Jack Residents Welfare Society at a local hotel in Zirakpur. He informed that the last date for enrollment of core group members is February 4, and the application form along with eligibility criteria is available on the PHRC website.
He further announced the launch of a WhatsApp Helpline Number — 9855475547 for submitting complaints related to human rights violations. Any person facing harassment or injustice at the local administrative level can submit their complaint directly to the Commission through this helpline, he said.
Highlighting important healthcare-related human rights, Dr. Shanty stated that hospitals cannot refuse to hand over the dead body of a deceased patient on account of pending treatment dues, as per the guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission. He said that hospitals should hand over the body after taking a declaration from the family.
Similarly, in cases where a patient is unable to clear medical bills, hospitals may take a bank cheque and affidavit, but treatment cannot be denied. He also directed that all hospitals must prominently display detailed treatment charges for the benefit of patients.
Dr. Shanty said that earlier, gross violations of human rights often went unnoticed, even in serious cases. However, the constitution of the Human Rights Commission has strengthened accountability.
He pointed out that violations frequently occur due to neglect of public grievances at the local level or failure to honour commitments made to residents of housing societies. He said that PHRC would now take such matters seriously, including through suo motu cognizance wherever required.
To spread awareness and strengthen coordination with district administrations, Dr. Shanty informed that he has already visited nine districts, and all 23 districts of Punjab will be covered by March. Later, he held a meeting with district administrative officers at the Municipal Council Office, Zirakpur.
The meeting was attended by ADC (G) Ms. Geetika Singh, SP (H) Mr. Mohit Aggarwal, SDM Derabassi Mr. Amit Gupta, Chief Minister’s Field Officer Mr. Gurmeet Singh Sohi, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sangeeta Jain, EO Mr. Palwinder Singh Bhatti, and Jail Superintendent Ropar Mr. Harjot Singh Kler, among others.
Dr. Shanty directed all officers to ensure timely disposal of grievances and safeguard the human rights of complainants. He also urged officers of Local Bodies to treat sanitary workers on humanitarian grounds and ensure that all their basic needs and entitled facilities are provided.
Expressing gratitude to the Jack Residents Welfare Society, Dr. Shanty appreciated their initiative in organising the awareness seminar and expressed hope that citizens would actively uphold and protect human rights in their surroundings.