CIVIL LIBERTIES 6) Visits to other Correctional Institutions/ Protection Homes 4.67 Shri A.B. Tripathy, Special Representative for Orissa, visited the Children Home, Sonepur (17 August 2001), Shishu Sadan, Choudwar (24 August 2001) and the Observation-cum-Special Home Rourkela (19 February. 2002). Shri S.VM. Tripathi, Special Representative for Uttar Pradesh/Uttaranchal visited the Women's Protection Homes, Juvenile Homes and Observation Homes in District Haldwani, Uttaranchal (6 May 2001), Lalitpur (22 August 2001), Meerut (30 August 2001), lhansi (31 August 2001), Gonda (25 September 2001), Muzaffarnagar (24 October 2001), Rai Bareily (17 November), Kanpur (17 March 2002) andUrmau (18 March 2002). His reports contained many useful comments on the infrastructure and functioning of these institutions and suggested several improvements. His recommendations were thereafter forwarded to the concerned State Government after consideration by the Commission. 4.68 Justice Smt. Sujata V Manohar visited the Women's Protection Home, Juvenile Home and Observation Home in Varanasi, oh 22 March 2002. The Director, Social Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh was also present. In her report, which was forwarded to the Government of Uttar Pradesh for necessary action, the Member made a number of recommendations to improve the living conditions, health-care, education and vocational training of the inmates in these institutions and also for the better maintenance of the institutions. She emphasised the importance of transparency in the functioning of these institutions and pointed out the need for the greater use of trained social workers and the closer involvement of NGOs. H] Improvement of Forensic Science Laboratories 4.69 The Commission remained in touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs in regard to the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report entitled 'State of the Art Forensic Sciences: For Better Criminal Justice', prepared by a Core Group constituted by the Commission. In its annual report for the year 1999-2000, the Commission had urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate early and comprehensive action on that report as the failure to improve forensic science services was gravely affecting the administration of criminal justice in the country and leading to the serious violation of human rights. ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 \ 45