Chandigarh/Kaithal, Feb 4: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has provided relief to rice mill owners in Kaithal by staying interim orders issued by the Haryana Human Rights Commission. The court observed that the commission’s role is primarily recommendatory and it does not possess the legal authority to function as a court of law.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry noted that the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, does not empower the commission to pass enforceable directions. The ruling came during a hearing where mill owners challenged repeated demands for inspections and reports regarding alleged pollution.
“The Commission cannot act as a Court. It is for the state government to take a decision as to whether to accept a recommendation made by Commission or not and thereafter issue any particular direction,” the Bench asserted.
The petitioners argued that environmental concerns are already governed by specific statutes like the Water and Air Acts. They mentioned that such issues fall under the jurisdiction of specialized environmental authorities and should not be treated as human rights violations without proof of state negligence.
The court has now issued a notice to the Haryana government. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on March 17 to determine the extent of the commission’s powers.
