The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently issued notices to the Chief Secretaries of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The notices are in regard to the action taken to alleviate the sufferings of individuals displaced by the construction of the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi river about six decades ago. The dam’s construction resulted in the submersion of approximately 111 villages, affecting around 22,000 families while displacing an estimated 19,000 families.
Hirakud Dam Project: Purpose and Impact
Conceived by Er. M. Visveswaraya in 1937 after devastating floods in the Mahanadi river, the Hirakud Dam project was established with its first hydro power commissioning in 1956. Built across the Mahanadi river, approximately 15 km upstream of Sambalpur town in Odisha, the dam provides irrigation to districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir and Subarnapur, and power generation through its two power houses at Burla and Chiplima. It also serves as a flood control mechanism for the Mahanadi basin.
Mahanadi River: A Vital Water Source
The third largest river system of peninsular India, the Mahanadi River is the largest river of Odisha state. Originating near Sihawa in the Bastar hills in Chhattisgarh, it has a catchment area extending to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. The river’s major tributaries include Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Jonking and Tel rivers.
Mahanadi River Dispute and NHRC’s Intervention
The Central Government founded the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal in 2018 to handle disputes associated with the river. With the involvement of NHRC, a statutory body established in 1993 by the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), an additional layer of human rights advocacy has been brought into focus.
National Human Rights Commission: Protector of Rights
As a watchdog of human rights, the NHRC embodies India’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The commission, composed of a chairman and four members, is appointed by the President based on recommendations from a committee chaired by the Prime Minister. The NHRC holds office for three years or until members reach 70 years of age.
The NHRC has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings bear a judicial character. It utilizes services of any officer or investigation agency of the Central government or any state government to investigate complaints of human rights violation. However, the functions of the commission are primarily recommendatory. While it cannot punish violators of human rights or award any relief, including monetary relief to victims, it can make recommendations to concerned authorities, who are obliged to inform the commission about action taken within one month.
Last Modified: February 11, 2024