New Delhi, July 20 (IANS): The NHRC on Monday issued notice to the Punjab government over a reported move to shut down Moga Public Health Centre due to absence of power supply and sought its response within two weeks.

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report that the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Sekha Kalan Village in Punjab's Moga district has been operating without power for 21 years, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notice to Vini Mahajan, Punjab's principal secretary, health and family welfare.

"According to the media report, after efforts to restore power supply to the PHC failed, the health department in Moga asked the state government to close it as it was difficult for doctors and para-medical staff to work there," the NHRC said in a statement.

"The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise the serious issue of violation of human rights of villagers. The state government has been given two weeks to respond," it added.

According to the report, the health centre was set up to cater to medical requirements of people living in 12 nearby villages.