The National Human Rights Commission today sought a report from Odisha government following allegations that 13 Dalit families are facing social ostracisation for more than two years in Ganjam district. Taking cognizance of media reports the Commission asked the state Chief Secretary to submit a report within four weeks in this regard.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today said that the role of media is very crucial as it plays a significant link between the people and their elected representatives by putting across their views.

Inaugurating a familiarisation programme for the Media persons in Parliament House complex, Mrs Kumar said media persons should bear their responsibility of impartially projecting the concerns of the people. She asserted that reporting facts correctly and objectively is also their duty.

The Speaker said, Parliamentarians raise issues close to the people's hearts as they are in touch with them and know the pulse of the electorate. She said, divergent views are resolved and crystallized having become fixed and definite in forminto legislations. It is this very institution which has enacted several forward looking legislations and has taken the lead for social transformation