Sore over the non-acceptance of its long-pending demand for more teeth, National Human Rights Commission chairman J S Verma accused the government of 'not giving the requisite attention' to improve the status of the premier human rights watchdog.

"I had sent some recommendations on amending the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 in early 2000, but so far there has been no development (in this regard). It leaves me dissatisfied and upset," Verma told PTI in an interview.

Verma, who is to demit office on January 17, 2003, was appointed NHRC chairman in 1999. Within months of assuming office, the retired Chief Justice of India sent the recommendation suggesting amendment to the PHRA.

The inaction could be 'either due to bureaucratic wrangles or lack of political will', he said. 

Pointing out that the NHRC's autonomy would determine the credibility of the organisation and thereby that of the nation, Verma said the panel's operational and functional autonomy could not be compromised at any cost.

The NHRC should be perceived as an 'umbrella' body vis-à-vis other human rights bodies, including State Human Rights Commissions, he said.

"Clash of interests (between various commissions) erodes their credibility. Therefore, it is very important for the government to amend the PHRA to give the NHRC the role of an umbrella human rights body," Verma said.

Satisfied with the functioning of the Commission during his tenure, the NHRC chairman said it had adopted a 'pro-active' approach and had touched on areas, like public health and education,  in which human rights was never a issue.

Besides their fundamental and civil rights, the Commission also made citizens aware of their financial, cultural and social rights, Verma said.

Verma took strong exception to criticism that the Commission 'overstepped' its limits in some matters.

"We have been accused of going too far in some cases but it is better to overstep than to lag behind," Verma said.

"What is important is that we have been able to meet the people's expectations," he said and hoped that the Commission would continue to perform its duties in the coming years with the same zeal.

However, Verma said much still needed to be done on making people aware of their rights.