Acting chairperson of Odisha Human Rights Commission Justice B K Mishra retired few days back. The Commission has no chairman for the past six years. Mishra was the only member and now he has relinquished his position. Therefore, the Commission has no member as on today.  The state government is suddenly waking up from slumber to make appointments for these positions.

Justice Mishra has been serving as the only member of the commission since 2015. He was the as acting chairperson for two years.

Former chairperson of the Commission Justice R K Patra, completed his tenure in 2012. According to laid down procedure of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the state commission must consist of a chairperson, who has been a chief justice of a high court; one member who is or has been a judge of a high court or district judge in the state, with a minimum seven years’ experience as district judge. Another member is a person having adequate experience in human rights issues.

The chairperson and members shall be appointed by the Governor, but every appointment can be made only after obtaining the recommendation of a committee comprising the chief minister, Speaker and Leader of the Opposition of the legislative Assembly, and minister in charge of the state’s Home Department.

Now, when the Commission has not a single member to run the business, the state government has decided to make these appointments soon.