The National Human Rights Commission (HRC) has been keeping itself busy?but doing what? Of 528 cases filed at the commission until mid-July this year, it has finished investigating 150. Of the cases filed, 255 concern civil and political rights, 15 are related to financial, social and cultural rights, seven to employee and service sector rights, while 81 complaints are related to a variety of other issues. The HRC is presently investigating issues like public access to health services provided by government and private hospitals and nursing homes in Kathmandu, and the social boycott of Chamar people in Siraha and Saptari districts?when not making speeches at public forums. The commission is also looking into whether the government is providing scholarships to school children of ?lower castes? in keeping with its policies, and court appeals regarding untouchability.