NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Governments, where no State Commission has been constituted, to initiate action to constitute a State Human Rights Commission to fulfill its responsibilities to the people in accordance with the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and the ‘Paris Principles’. 2.45 The Commission takes the initiative to hold regular interactions with the State Human Rights Commissions to explore and further strengthen the areas of cooperation and partnership. 2.46 As per the information received from the State Governments, 26 States have set up State Human Rights Commission (SHRCs) viz., Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (Combined SHRCs), Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Goa, West Bengal and Meghalaya. 2.47 The Commission has taken up with the Government, the issues for evolving a basic structure, minimum manpower and financial requirement of SHRCs to enable them to discharge their functions assigned under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and to streamline complaint disposal by the SHRCs. In response, Government of India has requested to send the details of complaints registered, disposed off and pending division-wise existing manpower, financial allocation, details of shortage being experienced and justification for providing additional amount etc. by each SHRC. The details, as received from SHRC, have been sent to the Government of India on 23rd March, 2015. Further response of the Government of India is awaited. 2.48 The Commission has organized a Conference of SHRCs in New Delhi on 17 February, 2017. The Conference was attended by Chairpersons/Acting Chairpersons, Members, Secretaries, SHRCs and State Government officers, besides the Chairperson, Members, Secretary General and other officers of the NHRC. 2.45 One of the key motivations for India’s law makers, the NHRC and SHRCs under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 was the protection and promotion of the inviolable rights of the people of India. The powers bestowed upon these Commissions as well as the broad and inclusive definition of human rights contained in the PHR Act, 1993 mandate the NHRC and SHRCs to address the whole range of civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights. The Commission had attempted to draw up an agenda for the NHRC-SHRC Meeting which was broad-ranging and which would attempt to address several issues of concern to both, including the matter concerning suitable amendments to the PHR Act to lend greater power to the decisions of these Commissions as well as greater financial and functional autonomy to enable these Commissions to function more effectively. Another objective of the meeting would be to deliberate upon other important concerns regarding human rights defenders, promotion of ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 21