Panel clears Balakrishnan as next NHRC chief

Decks were cleared for appointment of former CJI K G Balakrishnan as Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.

Decks were cleared on Tuesday for appointment of former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan as Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

According to sources,the decision to appoint Balakrishnan,who retired on May 12,was taken at a meeting of the committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Tuesday. The committee includes Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar,Home Minister P Chidambaram,Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj,Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan.

Balakrishnan will have a tenure of five years or till he reaches the age of 70 years,whichever is earlier.

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According to sources,some members present in meeting also raised the issue of the need to amend the Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 to ensure that the post of chairperson doesnt remain vacant for long due to paucity of eligible candidates. Under the present Act,only a person who has been CJI and is below 70 years of age is eligible. The post has been lying vacant since May 2009 after the retirement of Justice Rajendra Babu.

Responding to a PIL in the Supreme Court,the government said though the two former CJIs,R C Lahoti and Y K Sabharwal,were eligible,they couldnt be appointed as they were either not inclined or not found suitable.

At one stage,the Centre was even considering amendment to the Act to allow retired judges of the Supreme Court to be considered and appointed to the post. However,the move was shelved at the planning stage itself.

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