DMPQ- What were the major amendments done in the NHRC?

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Following are the major amendments done in the NHRC:

  1. Under the Act, the chairperson of the NHRC is a person who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  The Act amends this to provide that a person who has been Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or a Judge of the Supreme Court will be the chairperson of the NHRC.
  2. The Act provides for two persons having knowledge of human rights to be appointed as members of the NHRC. The current act amends this to allow three members to be appointed, of which at least one will be a woman.
  3. Under the Act, chairpersons of various commissions such as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and National Commission for Women are members of the NHRC. The Bill provides for including the chairpersons of the National Commission for Backward Classes, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as members of the NHRC.
  4. Under the Act, the chairperson of a SHRC is a person who has been a Chief Justice of a High Court.  The Act amends this to provide that a person who has been Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court will be chairperson of a SHRC.
  5. The Act states that the chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC will hold office for five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.  The Bill reduces the term of office to three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.  Further, the Act allows for the reappointment of members of the NHRC and SHRCs for a period of five years.  The Bill removes the five-year limit for reappointment.
  6. The Act provides that the central government may confer on a SHRC human rights functions being discharged by Union Territories.  Functions relating to human rights in the case of Delhi will be dealt with by the NHRC.