Guwahati, March 22: Prove credibility to get funds — it is the message of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to NGOs of the Northeast.

Top officials of the NHRC interacting with NGO representatives at the Assam Administrative Staff College here today said there would be no dearth of funds if they could prove their credibility. The NHRC has organised a regional consultation with the NGOs of the region, which have been complaining of lack of resources, for the first time in the city.

NHRC special representative Chaman Lal said there had been many reports of NGOs not utilising the allotted funds. “Though the rights commission does not give funds directly to the NGOs, it can indirectly provide financial assistance by sanctioning research projects,” he said.

The meet was called to encourage partnership between the NHRC and NGOs and identify common concerns. Only 22 NGOs of the region have sent representatives to the meet.

Lal said efforts should be made to translate human rights literature to regional languages so that awareness in this regard could be created in the region. “The NHRC will provide financial assistance in this respect,” he said. He pointed out that there had been many human rights violation cases in the Northeast.

The meet also identified thrust areas relating to human rights in the region for intervention by the rights commission. Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao led the NHRC delegation.

NHRC officials stressed better networking among the NGOs to raise human rights awareness. A core group of leading NGOs was also constituted to monitor the development.

The commission has asked NGOs to give information on human rights violation cases so that a team could be sent to the spot.

Chairperson of Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Justice S.N. Phukan said lack of resources and information was hindering the NGOs’ activities in the state.

He admitted that the AHRC had not been able to conduct adequate awareness programmes on human rights.