NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo in Cachar, reviews human rights linked welfare schemes

way2barak, Aug 19: — National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Member ,Priyank Kanoongo on Wednesday reviewed the implementation of a wide range of Central Government welfare schemes and statutory safeguards during a comprehensive meeting with senior district officials at the new conference hall of the District Commissioner’s office in Silchar.

NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo who arrived in Cachar on Wednesday reviewed the implementation status and ground level realities relating to key areas of human rights and inclusive development. The review also examined the outreach and effective delivery of various Central Government welfare schemes and the application of relevant statutory provisions for the benefit of intended stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including the right to employment and skill development, rights of children and the juvenile justice system, human trafficking, rights of older persons and senior citizens, rights of persons with disabilities, functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions and local self-government bodies, sports and human rights, youth affairs, cultural, philosophical and artistic expression, as well as matters relating to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Officials from the concerned district-level departments and institutions presented records, data, status reports and other relevant documents before the NHRC Member. The review brought together departments dealing with welfare delivery, social protection, education, livelihoods, local governance and the rights of vulnerable sections.

Under employment and skill development, the implementation of the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, National Scheme of Apprenticeship Training, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan, PM Vishwakarma, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission and NAMASTE Scheme was reviewed.

The discussion on children’s rights covered Mission Vatsalya, Integrated Child Development Services and Anganwadi Services, PM CARES for Children, the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, PM POSHAN, Samagra Shiksha, scholarships and hostel facilities, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram and other programmes. The functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee was also reviewed in the context of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and other relevant legal safeguards.

The NHRC Member also reviewed measures relating to prevention, rehabilitation and support in cases of human trafficking. Programmes such as Ujjawala, Swadhar Greh, Nirbhaya Fund projects and Central Victim Compensation Fund support were discussed along with the applicable legal framework.

The welfare of senior citizens was another area of review with officials presenting the status of schemes including the National Social Assistance Programme, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The discussions were linked to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and other relevant provisions.

NHRC Member Priyank Kanongoo also directed District Social welfare officer to ensure that all 70 plus individuals living in old age home and Jail should get Ayushman card facility and for that adhar card should be made mandatory.

Measures for persons with disabilities were also examined including Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, Accessible India Campaign, Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase of Aids and Appliances, Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, the Unique Disability ID project and Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme. Officials placed the implementation status of these programmes in the context of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and other statutory provisions.

The functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions and local self-government bodies also came under review. Schemes such as the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, SVAMITVA and e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, along with capacity-building initiatives for urban local bodies, were discussed. Senior officials from Silchar Municipal Corporation and officers dealing with waste management and related civic services were also present with relevant records.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Commissioners Monojoyti Kutum, ACS, and Jagriti Kalwar, ACS, Assistant Commissioner-cum-IC, DDIPR, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Masi Topno, ACS and other senior officers of the Cachar district administration.

Officers from the Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee, Jail Department, District Legal Services Authority, Education Department covering elementary, secondary and higher education, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department, Cooperation Department, Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Department, Minority Department, National Rural Livelihoods Mission and National Urban Livelihoods Mission among others also participated in the review.

At the conclusion of the meeting,NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo hailed the Cachar district administration for the successful implementation of the welfare schemes reviewed during his visit and acknowledged the efforts of the concerned departments in taking the programmes to the intended beneficiaries.

Following the review meeting, the NHRC Member held a media briefing at the new conference hall of the District Commissioner’s office, where he shared his observations on the implementation of various welfare schemes and human rights-related programmes reviewed during his visit to the district.

This is stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office Of Information & Public Relations Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam.