Rights panel file gathering dust at CM’s office

SHILLONG: Formation of the State Human Rights Commission will be delayed further as the State government is yet to take a call on the head and other members of the panel.
It has been more than two years (August 13, 2013) when the state cabinet decided to form the Commission.
Subsequently in March last year, the Assembly passed the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (Salaries and Allowances and other Terms and Conditions of Service of the Members) Rules, 2014.
Even during the observance of international human rights day on Thursday, there was no official level function in city due to the absence of state’s own human rights panel.
A state government official dealing with the matter said on Thursday that the file related to the matter has been gathering dust in the Chief Minister’s office.
The concerned department had sent the file to the Chief Minister and the law department had earlier suggested some names for the appointment of Chairperson of the Commission, the official, said, while adding that the political department is on the lookout for a member to be part of the Commission.
“We need to convene the meeting of the selection committee before finally deciding on the matter”, he said
A chairperson and two members form the State Human Rights commission.
Earlier, the state government had given nod for the appointment of former judge  of the lower court M.B. Challam and former Meghalaya DGP P.J.P. Hanaman as two members of the Commission, while the Chairperson, who should be a retired Chief  Justice, was not appointed.
In another recent development, the political department had informed Challam that she would not be eligible as she had served as the District and Sessions Judge only for four years, while the criteria is seven years. This has resulted in further delay in the formation of the Commission