Bhubaneswar, Nov. 12: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today directed the state government to give physical possession of land to the landless who have been allotted plots under various government schemes. The direction was issued on the last day of the three-day camp court of the commission here.

“We have instructed the state government to take immediate steps to give physical possession of land to the poor,” said NHRC Member S. C. Sinha, while addressing a press conference here.

A civil society activist, Fakir Rout had drawn the commission’s attention on the issue, citing the instance of Bargarh district where, he alleged, that the government had neither demarcated land allotted to the poor under various schemes nor given them physical possession of the property. The land issue, he said, has remained unresolved in the district for the last three decades.

During the camp court, the commission conducted hearing in 53 cases. The commission recommended monetary compensation of Rs 5.3 lakh in three cases and issued show cause notices to the state government in eight cases. The panel also directed closure of three cases.

The commission held extensive meetings with representatives of the civil society to discuss issues of violation of human rights in the state. It also had an interaction with the chief secretary, director general of police and secretaries of various government departments.

The cases were related to various issues including shifting of liquor shops operating within a radius of 500 metres from schools and religious institutions. The commission also took up a case relating to shortage and absenteeism of doctors.

The commission on Tuesday had asked the state government to initiate stern action against doctors found abstaining from duty. S. C. Sinha had issued directions in this regard while conducting hearing of a petition on the plight of poor patients.

The state government intimated the commission that it has so far identified 423 doctors who have been regularly absenting from duty. The government also told the commission that it has started initiating steps to fill up the vacant posts of doctors by appointing doctors on an ad hoc basis.

In another case the commission directed the district collectors of Balangir and Bargarh to provide rehabilitation assistance to bonded labourers within 15 days. The commission also asked the district collectors to come up with a comprehensive assistance plan for their rehabilitation.

The commission also conducted hearing of cases related to shortage of lady police officers to conduct investigation in women related cases, non payment of compensation and rehabilitation package to the people displaced by the development of river beds and deaths caused by electrocution due to negligence of the service providers.