Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) concluded a two-day visit to Odisha with hearings and high-level discussions on a wide range of human rights issues. The sessions were held at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar and led by NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian, accompanied by Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Vijaya Bharati Sayani, and Priyanka Kanungo.
Over the course of the visit, 121 cases of alleged human rights violations were reviewed by two separate benches. NHRC Secretary-General Bharat Lal, Registrar (Law) Yoginder Singh, and other senior Commission officials were present during the proceedings.
In the second half of the day, the NHRC delegation held an extensive interaction with top Odisha government officials to assess the status of human rights protection in the state and offer policy recommendations. The discussions spanned multiple sectors, including urban housing, drinking water, education, healthcare, social security, women and child welfare, forest conservation, pollution control, tribal development, and rehabilitation of displaced persons.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, addressing the NHRC, reiterated the state government’s commitment to upholding human rights. He said the new administration has made public grievance redressal a top priority, with the Chief Minister personally intervening in complaints. Ahuja also cited the rollout of an online grievance system, aligning with Odisha’s long-term vision of becoming a developed state by 2037, contributing to a developed India by 2047.
Highlighting welfare schemes that were shaped by earlier NHRC suggestions, Ahuja assured the Commission of continued cooperation and prompt action on its latest recommendations.
The meeting was attended by key state officials including Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretaries Satyabrata Sahu and Deoranjan Kumar Singh, DGP Y.B. Khurania, DGP (Fire Services) and Civil Defence Sudhanshu Sarangi, as well as several principal secretaries and department heads.
The NHRC appreciated the state’s proactive response to human rights concerns, noting a decline in complaints as a result of improved access to redressal through email, telephone, and digital platforms. The Commission also lauded Odisha’s upcoming public welfare programs and efforts to strengthen institutional accountability.
