Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) acting chairperson Khaidem Mani on Monday alleged that the state government’s bureaucrats are a total failure as they have miserably failed to discharge their duties efficiently.
Speaking to the media at MHRC office, Khaidem Mani said that it has been more than two years that MHRC was reestablished. However, the proposal made to the state government to fulfil adequate staff, infrastructure and financial autonomy is yet to be fulfilled. Nevertheless, MHRC has heard 380 cases including suo-moto cases in these two years and some months, he stated.
MHRC is the statutory watchdog institution that has established support on bringing good governance and rule of law. Such an institution that is the watchdog of rights itself is not getting the rights, he contended.
Mani further said that MHRC has engaged its own staff but it is yet to get approval from the state government.
Even though the chief minister is doing many welfare works for the people, the bureaucrats are delaying file works. The rules that should be made for MHRC by the state government are pending and other works needing approval are said to be in process, he pointed out.
He maintained that the remuneration are not being given to engaged staff. No money is put in MHRC account, he said and questioned how MHRC will function without proper manpower.
The acting chairperson also noted that the governor had created eight posts for section officer, account stenographer, computer operator, office assistant, peons. The law department should recruit the said posts but it remains on paper, he added.
“I don’t want to get free salary without work. I have many responsibilities in giving recommendations of police reforms, repealing AFSPA, political settlement of arm conflicts, alcohol and drugs problems to be monitored among others. However, lack of manpower, infrastructure and financial autonomy is becoming a major stumbling block,” he lamented.
Mani stated that he will not remain silent until and unless MHRC’s demands are fulfilled.
