NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION E. SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS 5.7 The Special Rapporteurs of the Commission are human rights experts who are specifically appointed with the directive to report and advice on human rights concerns from a thematic or state-specific perspective. The system of Special Rapporteurs is a central element of the NHRC machinery and covers all human rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural. In addition, they cover sensitive issues like child labour, bonded labour, disability concerns; etcetera and spread awareness among the people about the provisions contained in the PHRA from the point of view of seeking redressal from the NHRC in case of violation of their rights or that of others. Special Rapporteurs are senior officers who, prior to their retirement, have served as Secretaries to the Government of India or Directors General of Police or have done exemplary service in a human rights related field. A copy of the Special Rapporteurs scheme is posted on the website of the NHRC - http://www.nhrc.nic.in/Documents/ Scheme_And_Guidelines_for_Engagement_of_Special_Rappoteurs_05_01_2016.pdf. 5.8 The Special Rapporteurs in position during the period under report are listed below. 5.9 ZONAL SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS (BOTH ZONAL AND THEMATIC) IN POSITION AS ON AUGUST, 2018 ZONAL SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS Sl. No. Zone/area covered as per new scheme Name of Special Rapporteur 1. NORTH ZONE Shri Sudhir Kumar, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Former MemberDelhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu CAT & Kashmir, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh. 2. WEST ZONE Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 3. CENTRAL ZONE Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar & Jharkhand. Tenure Remarks 30.03.2017 to 29.03.2019 Additional charge of Maharashtra and Goa given to Dr. C.K. Mathew, Special Rapporteur for South Zone. Additional charge of Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu given to Dr. Vinod Aggarwal, Special Rapporteur for Central Zone Dr. Vinod Aggarwal, IAS (Retd.) 30.03.2017 to 29.03.2019 Annual Report 2017-2018 Additional charge as mentioned in column 2 above 75