The decision was taken following refusal by the Bihar Government to set up a state human rights commission on the ground that constitution of such a body would be a duplication of the functions of NHRC, the commission said here today.

Noting the stand taken by the Bihar Government, the NHRC decided to visit the state in the first half of April this year and hold a public hearing of cases of human rights violation, it said.

In response to NHRC's recommendations to states to set up a state unit, the Bihar Government had taken a stand not to do so as it felt that the existence of NHRC makes it redundant to establish a similar authority at state level, it said.

The Bihar Government felt that the complaints received through NHRC were being promptly looked into andsuitable action was taken, NHRC said in a release.

The state government pointed out that a nodal officer has been designated in the home department as well as in the police headquarters and in each district to attend to such complaints. In this background, the state government felt no useful purpose would be served by formation of a state commission, it said.