Annual Report 2008-2009
Appointment
3.3
The Chairperson and the Members of the Commission are appointed by the President of
India, on the recommendations of a high-level Committee comprising the Prime Minister (as
Chairperson), the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of the People), the Minister in-charge of the
Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India, the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Selection Committee for Appointment of Chairperson
and Members of NHRC
3.4
The statutory requirements relating to the qualifications of the Chairperson and Members
of the Commission, as well as their selection by a high-level and politically- balanced Committee,
ensures a high degree of independence and credibility in the functioning of the Commission.
3.5
The Chief Executive Officer of the Commission is the Secretary-General, an officer of the
rank of Secretary to the Government of India. The Secretariat of the Commission works under
the overall guidance of the Secretary-General.
3.6
There are six Divisions in the Commission. These are—(i) Law Division, (ii) Investigation
Division, (iii) Policy Research, Projects and Programmes Division (PRP&P Division), (iv) Training
Division, (v) Information and Public Relations Division, and (vi) Administration Division.
3.7
The Law Division services the Commission in the receipt and disposal of human rights
violation cases based on either complaints or registered suo motu or on the basis of information
received. The Investigation Division carries out spot investigations all over the country on
behalf of the NHRC. Furthermore, it assists the NHRC in examining complaints, in scrutinizing
20