National

Centre seeks time to reply to NHRC report

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi APRIL 18 . The Central Government has asked for time till month-end to submit its response to the National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) report on the Gujarat violence.

The NHRC had, among other things, asked the Centre to provide proof that it had not failed in its primary and inescapable responsibility of protecting the fundamental rights of the people of the State.

The Centre's letter comes after an official reminder from the NHRC, which had given it and the Gujarat Government until April 15 to file responses. The State Government submitted its reply on April 15.

In its letter, the Centre said that it needed time to collate information from different Ministries in respect of some of the panel's recommendations. It was considering four of the NHRC's many recommendations, and the remainder of the report pertained to the Gujarat Government.

The Centre added that it was collecting information on issues pertaining to the handing over of cases of mass killings to the Central Bureau of Investigation, providing special assistance to destitute women, rape victims and orphaned children and a viable plan for rebuilding homes. It was also utilising the media, particularly All India Radio, to restore confidence in the State.

`No measles outbreak'

The Gujarat Health Minister, Ashok Bhatt, has denied reports of a measles outbreak among the inmates of the relief camps.

Mr. Bhatt, who along with the Union Health Minister, C.P. Thakur, reviewed the relief provided to the riot victims, said that only eight cases had been detected in five camps. However, as a measure of abundant caution, vaccination in the relief camps was being intensified. The inoculation, which was confined to children below five, was now being extended to those till the age of 15.

At a press conference, Mr. Bhatt asserted that the State Government was taking all measures to provide relief to the victims and that elaborate arrangements had been made for this purpose. Dr. Thakur said that the Centre had decided to sanction an additional consignment of medicine, worth Rs. 8.26 crores, for use in the relief camps.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Why Modi deferred the decision on Assembly dissolution
• People's Front leaders to visit Gujarat
• Centre seeks time to reply to NHRC report
• Gujarat incidents an aberration: MEA
• Minister rules out AI, IA disinvestment 'now'
• Bill to set up petroleum board cleared
• 'Need for talks on Kashmir'
• Dental college seats: SC notice to T.N.
• 'No' to quota for SC/STs in higher judiciary
• Visa-on-arrival scheme put on hold for security reasons
• Wisner for fresh Indo-Pak. dialogue
• India welcomes Zahir Shah's return
• Prasar Bharati to streamline operations
• New virus hits computers
• Kuwait denies gurdwara closure

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu