PUNJAB STATE HUMAN RIGHTS  COMMISSION GUIDELINES FOR SPONSORING RESEARCH, PROJECT STUDIES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, LITERACY PRORAMMES AND CAMPAIGNS  ETC.

 

I)        Guidelines for Research / Project Studies:-

 

Scope & broad areas: -          Punjab State Human Rights Commission will follow the guidelines of the NHRC as regards project studies and sponsoring research in human rights with minor modifications as per requirement of the Commission. Accordingly, non-recurring financial assistance may be granted for undertaking research studies in human rights.  Six studies may be allowed in a year. The theme of research should be specifically selected / devised for each year and the entire stationery / correspondence of the Commission should bear, depict and carry the message underlying the theme for that particular period.  A suggestive list of broad areas for research studies is enclosed

The detailed guidelines for sanctioning financial assistance for research projects by the PSHRC will be as follows:-

Funds for Research

(1)          Funds for research projects will be released to an institution or a group of institutions for carrying out a specific research project.  An institution actively associated with any aspect of protection and promotion of human rights in any manner with good track record and not running for profit, shall be eligible for consideration, such as :-

i)        a research and training institution set up and entirely funded by the Central Government / State Government / a Public Sector Undertaking;

ii)       an institution / organization registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 ( Act XXI of 1860);

iii)              a registered public trust;

iv)               a registered institution exclusively devoting itself to and espousing  the cause of human rights;

v)                  a university or a deemed university;

 

 

2.          Research Project :- The project proposal should be submitted to the Commission by the Director / Head of the institution as follows :-

i)     A brief outline of the project indicating objectives, methodology, stages of the research work proposed, item-wise budget, number of the personnel required, time-frame, etc.

ii)     It should be clearly mentioned whether a similar proposal has been submitted to any other organization for financial assistance and, if so, whether any assistance has been received / is expected to be received.

iii)         The project director shall give an undertaking to the effect that he / she will complete the work as per the terms and conditions specified by the Commission.

iv)          It will not accept project proposal on the same subject from any other authority.

 

(3)     The project can also be entrusted to individuals having ample research experience who undertake the entire responsibility of completing it. However, the grant will be available to them only through an institution as mentioned in para 1 above (pertaining to funds for research), which, while forwarding the proposal, shall agree to:

i)        administer and manage the funds by opening a separate bank account in the name of the project in a nationalized bank to be operated jointly by the Project Director and a nominee of the institution.  All funds released by the PSHRC will be credited to this account;

ii)       provide accommodation, furniture and other logistic support required for the project;

iii)              make available all its research facilities, such as library etc;

iv)               arrange all other assistance necessary for the project;

v)                  ensure that the project would be completed within the time specified by the Commission; and

vi)               make sure that the funds are utilized for the purpose these are sanctioned.

 

(4)          Detailed Note :

          The project director will also enclose a detailed note on the work done on the subject so far and the precise contribution the proposed research project is likely to make to the existing body of knowledge. A floppy of the proposal will also be enclosed.

(5)     Items covered under the Fund:

No assets shall be generated out of the funds provided by the PSHRC.  The amount released shall be spent exclusively for the purpose for which it is meant.

Note :          Payment for any work already done before the submission of the research proposal, will not be allowed.

 

(6)     Time Frame : The duration of the research study shall be normally from 6 to 12 months. The period may, however, be extended upto another 6 months depending upon the area of  study / research.

 

(7)          Scrutiny /Approval

I)        Every research proposal shall be scrutinized by the Commission after it is received.  The Commission may call for any clarification or suggest modification (s) in the proposal after its scrutiny. The proposal may be approved if the research project satisfies the criteria laid down by the Commission from time to time. The Commission, however, reserves the right to accept or reject it without assigning any reason and the decision of the Commission shall be final.

ii)                 The institution receiving financial assistance shall confirm in writing that the conditions laid down by the Commission are acceptable and shall be complied with by it in letter & spirit.

iii)              The institution will maintain separate accounts in respect of the research project approved by the Commission which will be open to scrutiny / inspection of the Commission or its representative at any time during or on completion of the project.

 

(8)          Release of funds :         The proposal will clearly indicate the stages of execution of the project along with objectives, activities and the outcome of each phase.  Funds will be released in instalments depending upon timely completion of each phase.  The directions of the Commission shall be complied with and the un-utilised amount of the financial assistance available as unspent funds immediately after completion of the project, will be refunded to the Commission forthwith.

 

(9)          Progress Reports :- The project director will submit periodic  progress reports of the project through the Head of the institution along with utilization certificate of the funds released till date.

 

(10)          Changes in Approved Projects :- The project director shall have to obtain prior approval of the Commission in case any change is contemplated in the research project already approved by the Commission.

 

(11)          Termination of the Project:- If the Commission is not satisfied with the progress of  project or if it finds that rules / conditions laid down have been or are being violated/ flouted in any manner, it reserves the right to terminate the research project without any notice or assigning any reason and recover the entire amount of the grant released till date, with interest.

 

(12)   Final Report:-

 

          I)           Two copies of the draft final report of the project shall be submitted by the project director to the Commission immediately on completion of the project period and in no case later than one month thereafter.  The report will be examined by the Commission which may suggest changes, if deemed necessary. Twenty copies of the final report shall be supplied to the Commission by the project director at the earliest after incorporating suggestions made by the Commission, if any.  The final report shall be a comprehensive document to serve as a definite record and should generally cover the following points :-

a)       The problem studied / objectives.

 

b)          Methodology of the study :

                   i.            The design of research.

                 ii.            The selection of the universe and the units for study, considerations that governed the selection of the universe, size of the sample and the procedure for the sample drawn.

              iii.            Tools used: detailed account of the exercise of tool construction, special contribution made by the project in devising new tools or sharpening existing ones.

                iv.            Field work: the manner in which field work was conducted including division of labour among the project staff, problems encountered.

                  v.            The schedule of the project.

                vi.            Organisational structure and problems.

             vii.            Methodological gains.

           viii.            Limitations of the study.

               ix.            Other observations.

 

c)          Description and analysis of data.

 

d)          Findings and conclusion:

 

                   i.            Summary of findings

                 ii.            Conclusion.

              iii.            Implications for further research.

                iv.            Recommendations.

II)      The project director will also submit 20 copies of the summary of the report alongwith the final report.

III)     The report of the research study will be the exclusive property of the Commission.

 

(13)          Finalization of Accounts:  Before releasing the funds, an agreement may be executed whereby the institution should undertake to refund the funds, if the research project is not completed within the time scheduled or even the extended time.  The institution will submit a statement of accounts after the completion of the project with a utilisation certificate for the expenditure incurred within three months of the date of acceptance / clearance of the project report by the Commission.  15% of the funds shall be released only after full accounts are furnished to the Commission.

(14)          Conditions for Publication :  The final report of research shall be the property of the PSHRC who shall have exclusive right over it and this fact shall also be mentioned in the report itself.  The Commission reserves its right to publish or make use of the data or material of the final report in the form or manner it considers necessary.  No reproduction of the report in whole or part or the material / data used in the report, shall be permitted without the approval of the Commission.  

(15)          Preservation of Data :  The institution receiving funds for the project, shall also submit the entire project alongwith the final report of the research in the form of CD to the Commission.     

II)        SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, LITERACY  PROGRAMMES AND CAMPAIGNS ETC.

 

Rules

 

          The Commission will conduct public contact programmes to educate and familiarise the people with their human rights and the remedies available in case of violation of these rights.  Measures will be undertaken for spreading human rights literacy among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for protection of the rights through publications, media, seminars, inter-school / college / university debates, essay competitions at the secondary, plus 2 and college level; street plays (subject to certification) and puppetry shows in association and coordination with the State Universities and the School Education Board and other available means.

Literacy programmes / campaigns in human rights may be organized with the help of the Deputy Commissioners on popular / community / religious occasions like Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib, Jod Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib &  Baisakhi at Talwandi Sabo, martyrdom functions  at Muktsar and Chamkaur Sahib, Sodal Mela at Jalandhar etc.  The occasions of kisan sammelans organized by the Department of Agriculture on the eve of Rabi and Khariff crops may also be similarly made use of for educating the farmers and others by distributing free literature, CDs and other publicity material on human rights by opening and running exclusive stalls for the purpose by the Commission at its own level or by involving social groups / NGOs working purely for the promotion of human rights in the State.

Human Rights Awareness camps may be organised for select audiences on topics concerning human rights to deliberate upon various kinds of violations, preventive measures and the remedies / safeguards available against such violations.  The Universities and the School Education Board of the State should be involved in all such programmes and eminent personalities, scholars, jurists, legal luminaries and well-known social scientists specially invited on such occasions to address the gathering.

Publicity and promotional material for creating awareness in human rights in the form of booklets, cassettes and well designed pamphlets, posters and  pictorials etc may be prepared with the help of the Department of Information and Public Relations for free distribution on all such occasions and also sent to gram panchayats, educational institutions, police stations and others direct and / or through the department concerned who may be directed to monitor all such programmes /campaigns and send reports to the Commission periodically.

The seminars, conferences, workshops and other literacy programmes / campaigns etc undertaken to spread human rights literacy,  will be conducted by the Deputy Commissioners, the concerned Govt. Departments and other bodies / organizations concerned with the protection and promotion of human rights at their own level through their own financial and other resources and in association with the Commission.  The Commission will, however, entertain proposals for financial assistance in connection with such programmes, in case specific requests are received from them for the purpose with full justification and details of the expenditure likely to be incurred on the proposal.

                    

Broad Areas for Undertaking Research in Human Rights

 

1.                  Status of Child Labour and abuse in Punjab.

2.                  Status of Children of Construction Workers of Buildings / Roads/ Drains etc.

3.                  Status of Solid Waste Management & Role of Rag Pickers / homeless children.

4.                  Status of Child Marriage in Punjab.

5.                  Status of domestic helpers and their rights.

6.                  Status of Illegal Trafficking in Women and Children.

7.                  Status of Sexual Harassment in Punjab.

8.                  Status of Constabulary / Police in Society and their image in regard to respect for human rights.

9.                  Status of Development in Punjab and opportunity for enjoying human rights with dignity by the below-poverty-line families.

10.              Status of Governance and its impact on human rights in Punjab.

11.              Status of Ground water Level, Potable Drinking Water supply, Sanitation and incidence of water-borne diseases in Punjab.

12.              Analysis of the causes of the custodial deaths and suggestions regarding steps to be taken to prevent / reduce such deaths.

13.              The plight of Punjabi women who have been deserted by their NRI husbands.

14.              Violation of human rights of Punjabi origin NRIs at the time of visit to their home State.

15.              The violation of human rights of the migratory labour in the State of Punjab.