NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA v. Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. vi. Chairperson, National Commission for Backward Classes vii. Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Hon’ble Chairpersons, Members and Officers of NHRC & SHRCs at a meeting in New Delhi on 20.02.2020 3.8 The Chairperson and the Members of the NHRC are appointed by the President of India, on the recommendations of a high-level Committee comprising of the Prime Minister (as Chairperson), the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of the People), the Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India, the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. 3.9 The Chief Executive Officer of the Commission is the Secretary General, an officer of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. The Secretariat of the Commission works under the overall guidance of the Secretary General. 3.10 Powers Relating to Inquiries: The NHRC has been given all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in particular in respect of summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath; discovery and production of any documents; receiving evidence through affidavits; requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents, and any other matter that may be prescribed. In case of breach, it calls upon the concerned government to take remedial measures and pay compensation to the victim or to the next of their kin and also remind public servants of their duties and obligations. Depending on the case, it may further initiate proceedings for prosecution, or any other suitable action as it may deem fit, against the person(s) concerned. Another important feature, which it fully utilizes, is the suo motu cognizance of serious matters, which it takes on the basis of newspaper and media reports. 3.11 Extensive Range of Functions: The Commission has a wide mandate. Its functions, as laid down in Section 12 of the PHRA, include: a. Inquire, suo motu or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20 31