Human Rights Commission warns to issue warrant against CS
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 20 July 2015 22:05 IST
The Goa Human Rights Commission has warned Goa chief secretary and Director of Panchayats to issue warrants against them if they fail to appear before the Commission.
The case relates to a genuine issue the whole state is facing – burial and cremation grounds all over the state and human rights violation of the dead to have a decent cremation or burial.
The case will be now heard on 7 October.
Dr Anthony Rodrigues, on 28 May last year, had complained to the Commission regarding non-availability of burial and cremation grounds in many talukas.
Adv Satish Sonak, while arguing the case, brought to the notice of the commission that the earlier Law Commission (headed by Ramakant Khalap) had prepared Goa Public Crematoria and Burial Places Bill 2009.
Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice P K Misra and member J A Keny had directed the Director of Panchayats to file their reply and furnish a status report regarding the law commission recommendation.
As both the chief secretary and the director of Panchayats did not appear for the hearing on 22 April, the next hearing was fixed by for today, while issuing them summons to attend the hearing.
But both the responsible officials failed to appear before the commission.
“It is unfortunate in spite of summons issued to the respondent No.2 Director of Panchayat and respondant No.3 Chief Secretary to remain present before this commission for the purpose of recording their statement, they have chosen not to appear,” stated the order issued today.
The order has been passed jointly by Justice Misra, Mr Keny as well as A D Salkar.
