Annual Report 2010-2011 is headed by a Joint Secretary (Programmes & Administration) and is assisted by a Director, a number of Under Secretaries, Section Officers and other secretarial staff. The Information and Public Relations Unit under the Administration Division disseminates information relating to the activities of the NHRC through the print and electronic media. It brings out a bilingual monthly Newsletter ‘Human Rights’ and other publications of the Commission. Furthermore, it looks into applications and appeals received under the Right to Information Act, 2005. 3.9 The reach of the Commission is greatly enhanced by the appointment of Special Rapporteurs and the constitution of Core and Expert Groups. Special Rapporteurs are very senior officers who, prior to their retirement, had served as Secretaries to the Government of India or Directors General of Police or have done exemplary service in a human rights related field. They are either assigned specific subjects to deal with, such as Bonded Labour, Child Labour, Custodial Justice, Disability, etc., or a zone comprising a group of States to look into human rights concerns and violations. 3.10 Core/Expert Groups consist of eminent persons or representatives of bodies working on human rights issues. These Groups render expert advice to the Commission on various issues. Some of the important Core/Expert Groups constituted in the NHRC are: • • • • • • • • • • • Core Advisory Group on Health Core Group on Mental Health Core Group on Disability Core Group on NGOs Core Group on Legal Issues Core Group on Right to Food Core Group on Rights of Elderly Persons Expert Group on Emergency Medical Care Expert Group on Refugees Expert Group on Silicosis Expert Group on Unsafe Drugs & Medical Devices Functions 3.11 The Commission has a wide mandate. Its functions as laid down in Section 12 of the PHRA include: • • • 16 Inquire, suo motu or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf or on a direction or order of any court, into complaint of (i) violation of human rights or abetment thereof; or (ii) negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant. Intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court, with the approval of such court. Visit, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any jail or other institution under the control of the State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, for the study of the living conditions of inmates thereof and make recommendations thereon to the Government. NHRC