Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goa Forward Party (GFP) General Secretary Durgadas Kamat today has demanded an urgent appointment of the Human Rights Commissioner for Goa.
“It has been observed that the GHRC has become non-functional since the term of its chairperson Justice Utkarsh Bakre ended in February 2023. There are over 500 cases pending, this void raises significant concerns about the protection and promotion of human rights in Goa,” said Kamat.
He further said that inspite of GFP Chief Vijai Sardesai writing to the Chief Secretary twice on the issue of appointment of Human Rights Commissioner and raising the matter during the assembly session. The BJP Govt has not even bothered to appoint a commission.
“Public grievances dept is defunct. Cabinet ministers such as Mauvin are making statements saying there is extra democracy in the state. This is arrogance,” said Kamat.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward has demanded that GHC be appointed ASAP failing which we will have to barge into the CS office.
MLA Vijai Sardesai had urged CS to initiate a transparent and robust selection process for the appointment of the Chairperson, ensuring that it is conducted in accordance with the established norms and guidelines.
“The process should include the involvement of relevant stakeholders, including human rights organizations and civil society representatives, to guarantee a fair and merit-based selection,” he had said.
