IX COMPLAINTS BEFORE THE COMMISSION (A) NUMBER AND NATURE The rapid rise in the number of complaints received by the Commission signifies spreading of awareness of human rights and is a reflection of fhe increasing confidence of people in the Commission. There has been an increase of more than hundred per cent in the number of complaints registered by the Commission during the period 1 April, 1996 to 31 March, 1997 over the preceding year. The number of complaints, which includes reports sent by State agencies on custodial deaths and rapes, registered in 1995-96 was 10,195 as against 20,514 registered during the year ending 31 March, 1997. Including the 319 cases wh~chwere pending consideration at the beginning of the year, the Commission had a total of 20,833 cases that required its consideration in 1996-97. Uttar Pradesh continued to account for the largest number of fresh cases (8497) followed by Bihar (2320). These two States together accounted for 54 per cent of the fresh cases received during 1996-97. - ._ 9.1 - I. ,* % While there has been this phenomenal increase in the-number of complaints, 9.2 the strength of the Members of the Commission stood at three consequent on the appointment in January 1997 of two of its Members as Governors. With a view to expediting the disposal of the complaints, the Regulations were amended.empowering a single Member to deal with the complaints instead of a bench of two Members. This did help substantially to redeem the situation, During the current year, 16,823 cases were taken up for consideration. Of them, 8,048 cases were disposed of in limini and 2,272 cases were disposed of with directions to the appropriate authorities. In respect of 6,503 complaints, directions were issued calling for reports. 528 cases were concluded after considering the reports received fmm the concerned authorities, or the reports submitted after inquiry by the investigation Division of the Commission. Thus, a total of 10,848 cases were disposed of during the current year as against 7,618 cases that were disposed of during the last year. This was done even though the Commission did not have full complement of Members for about three months in the year. The disposal of cases was forty two per cent more than in that of the previous year. The disposal of cases could have been better had there been more prompt responses to the Commission's notices by the State authorities. The Commission is concerned that there is a tendency to delay responses and that this often calls for reminders. should the Commission continue to feel that such delays inhibit its proper functioning, it will not hestitate to propose the strengthening of its powers, under its Statute,-to deal with such situations.