KATHMANDU, JULY 17
The National Inclusion Commission has issued its regulation allowing victims or stakeholders to file complaint against any person or institution for violation of rights of khas arya, backward class, differently-abled persons, senior citizens, labourers, marginalised and deprived groups, people living in Karnali, and economically disadvantaged groups and communities.
As per the regulation published in the Nepal Gazette last week, the NIC will collect such complaints through its central or provincial offices. The regulation also empowers the NIC to recommend to the agencies concerned for legal action against the rights violators through monitoring of implementation of rights of such persons or groups and identification of perpetrators.
Likewise, the NIC may identify rights violators on the basis of news or reports published or broadcast in print or electronic media.
"The NIC may request the agencies concerned to seek necessary information while collecting complaints against the alleged rights violators. If information is not provided as demanded, the NIC may recommend action against the chief or the relevant officials of such agencies for departmental action," the regulation says.
The victims may file their complaint at the central or provincial office of the NIC in person or through post office or electronic platform. No fee shall be levied on the complainants. "The NIC shall register the complaints in a prescribed register book. If a complaint is lodged in person, the NIC shall issue a receipt thereof to the complainant," it reads.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the NIC shall recommend the agency concerned for necessary investigation or inquiry into it, along with details of such complaint.
Since the NIC is not a judicial body, it is required to forward the complaint to the agencies concerned for investigation and action. "If a complaint is found to be baseless on the basis of prima facie examination of evidences or does not fall under the jurisdiction of the NIC, it may put such complaint pending," the regulation says.
The NIC is also empowered to keep the identity and personal details of the complaint confidential as per his/her request. Similarly, the regulation stipulates a provision for providing necessary employees, including expert in the related field, to the NIC by the Government of Nepal for its day-today operation.
The NIC may also receive expert service as per need for study on the overall economic, social and cultural condition of khas arya, backward class, differently-abled persons, senior citizens, labourers, marginalised and deprived groups, people living in Karnali, and economically disadvantaged groups and communities.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 18, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
