NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA ST population, percentage of forest area, State wise BPL poverty ratio, percentage of State wise rural household, percentage of State wise Urban Household and Infant Mortality Rate. ii. The implementation of an aforesaid awareness programme by NHRC is expected to achieve good results in better implementations of the programmes, policies, and schemes which have been based upon human rights issues. It will give an opportunity to the Commission to have first hand idea of situation on the ground level and will also help it in planning its future strategies for better protection and promotion of human rights. The review will be done with the help of Special Rapporteurs, State Human Rights Commissions, Government and local NGOs. The proposed strategy is expected to be a benchmark for all the district administrations and will also benefit the State Human Rights Commissions. The Commission also organizes Human Rights Awareness for Panchayati Raj Officials to create sensitivity pertaining to human rights amongst them. iii. In order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the contribution of Rural Development Schemes in the promotion and protection of Human Rights, the Commission is organizing an Interactive Session with Civil Society Organizations/NGOs and Open House Discussion: Rural Development And Human Rights was held on 27 February, 2019, under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Justice Shri H.L. Dattu, Chairperson NHRC and attended by Justice Shri P.C. Ghose, Smt. Jyotika Kalra, Hon’ble Members of NHRC, Shri Jaideep Govind, Secretary General, Shri Surajit Dey, Registrar (L), Dr. Ranjit Singh, JS (P&A), Mr. Dilip Kumar, JS (T&R) and other Senior officials of NHRC. Other participants of the Open House Discussion included Shri Amarjeet Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development and representatives of NGOs and civil society organizations. 2.50 The objective of the Open House Discussion was to raise the awareness amongst all the stakeholders with regard to rural development along with exploring the linkage between ‘Rural Development and Human Rights’. The following issues were discussed in the Open House Discussion: 1. Intricacies of Rural Development and Linkages to Human Rights 2. Rural Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights 3. Grassroots Democracy and Empowerment of Women and Weaker Section 4. Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in raising awareness of Rural Development Schemes 5. Future strategies to strengthen Rural Development The recommendations generated from the Open House discussion will be shared with all the stakeholders. ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 23