In one more cruel stroke, J & K loses all semblance of rights based institutions, the SHRC, the SIC, SCDRC, SERC, SCPWCR, SCPWD, SAC
SRINAGAR – The Government today ordered the winding up of Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), State Information Commission (SIC), State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC), State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), State Commission for Protection of Women & Child Rights (SCPWCR), State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) and State Accountability Commission (SAC) with effect from October 31, 2019.
The orders issued here by General Administration Department (GAD) said that consequent upon repeal of the Acts related to these Commissions by the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, sanction is hereby accorded to the winding up of these Commissions, with effect from October 31, 2019 that is the appointed date for the formation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and Union Territory of Ladakh.
The orders said that the Chairpersons/President and Members of Commissions shall cease to hold office from the said date, adding that all the staff posted in the Commissions drawn from various departments shall report to the concerned administrative departments from October 30, 2019.
Brutally, the govt had divested further semblance of rights and accountability to the erstwhile state of J & K:
- J&K State Commission for Protection of Women and Child Rights (constituted under the J&K State Commission for Protection of Women and Child Rights Act 2018)
- J&K State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (constituted under the J&K Right of Persons with Disability Act 2018)
- J&K State Human Rights Commission (constituted under the J&K Protection of Human Rights Act 1997).
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, and the Public Safety Act remains operational, as always.