Chapter-3 ACTIVITIES AND PROGRESS 3.1 Meetings of the Commission The Commission generally meets twice a month on the date and place set by the Chairperson. Presence of Three members Constitute the quorum of the meeting. The meeting is chaired by the Chairperson, and in his absence the meeting is chaired by the most senior member. The Commission arrives at a decision by a majority vote among its members. In case of a tie, the Chairperson casts the deciding vote. The activities of the Commission are not invalidated just by a vacancy among its members. The Commission itself decides on the other work procedures concerning its meeting. The regular meetings of the Commission are held every Tuesday, with other emergency meetings when required. The Commission met 41 times during the period of this report. The regulation concerning meetings of the National Human Rights Commission (Work Procedure), 2057 B. S. has already been implemented. 3.1.1 Some Significant Decisions (a) As division of work is necessary among the Chairperson and Members for facilitating the activities of the Commission, work division has been carried out among the office bearers and they have been assigned specific areas of work. (b) A complaint had been filed at the Commission regarding the death of two prisoners by police firing in Banke Jail on Magh 1, 2057 BS. The Commission, on Jetha 2, 2058 BS, decided that the deaths had occurred due to the lack of sensitivity and vigilance on the part of the Chief District Officer, Police Inspector and the police regarding the rights to life of the prisoners. The Commission thus decided to write to the government to provide as compensation to the families of the dead an amount of Rs. 1 lakh each, of which 5 and 2.5 percent had to be borne respectively by the Chief District officer and the Police Inspector. (c) As regards the complaint of the unlawful arrest of Tara Prasad Bhushal from the compound of the Appellate Court, Butwal, necessary investigations were undertaken. The Commission in its meeting of Jetha 2, 2058 B.S. decided to write to the Home Ministry cautioning it against such human rights abuses in the coming days by any of the bodies underneath it. The Commission has decided to implement its proposed regulations, viz. the National Human Rights Commission (Complaints, Action and Compensation) Regulation, 2057 BS, Regulation concerning terms of office, service and facilities of the Chairperson and Members of National Human Rights Commission, 2057 BS, and Regulation concerning terms of office, service and facilities of the employees of National Human Rights Commission, 2057 B. S. incorporating the suggestions of the government. All of the three mentioned regulations have already come into effect. (d) (e) At a meeting of the Commission held on Ashar 19, 2057 BS, the Commission decided to acquire membership in the Asia Pacific Forum for National Human Rights Institutions.