Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 11 May: A large number of complainants were present during the public hearing organised at the District Collectorate premises here today under the directions of District Magistrate Savin Bansal. In all, the administration registered and heard 201 complaints related to land disputes, illegal encroachment, harassment, electricity safety, financial assistance, social welfare and school fee waiver. The public hearing was chaired by Joint Magistrate Rahul Anand and many complaints were resolved and disposed of on the spot itself. The remaining cases were forwarded to the departments concerned with directions to ensure prompt and appropriate legal action.
Several elderly citizens approached the administration with complaints related to family harassment and property disputes. Ailing senior citizen Ghanshyam Bhandari alleged that his elder son is attempting to grab his shop and house. In another case, 80-year-old cancer patient Kismat Singh accused his daughter and son-in-law of fraudulently transferring his land and house in their names and later assaulting him and attempting to throw him out of his home. In both cases, directions were issued to the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority to initiate immediate legal proceedings and provide relief to the complainants.
Munni Devi, a 61-year-old widow from Aamwala, alleged that she was assaulted and driven out of her house by her son and daughter-in-law. The SDM concerned was directed to register a case under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. Another complainant, 65-year-old Godambari Devi, sought intervention against alleged harassment by her retired husband and appealed for half of his pension for her treatment and livelihood.
The issue of public safety arising from high-tension electricity lines also figured prominently during the hearing. The residents raised concerns over dangerously tilted high-tension electric poles along the roadside in Khala village following heavy rainfall and landslides. The electricity department and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation were directed to undertake immediate safety measures. In another case, the administration took serious note of a high-tension line passing merely three metres above the building of Government Primary School, Kidduwala, terming it as a grave threat to students’ safety and directing UPCL to take urgent action.
The residents of Jwalpa Enclave in Mohkampur complained about waterlogging in the residential areas caused by damage to the retaining wall and embankment of a seasonal drain. The Irrigation Department was directed to resolve the issue at the earliest. Farmer Suresh Chandra from Bhogpur also sought construction of a protective wall to prevent erosion of agricultural land during the rainy season.
Villagers from Sorna and Rudrapur alleged that illegal encroachment on public land had obstructed road connectivity in their areas. In another case from Majri village, the SDM was directed to conduct an immediate inquiry into allegations of encroachment by blocking an irrigation canal and to remove the encroachment if found valid.
In addition, complaints related to drinking water supply and damaged approach roads at Government Inter College Bhagdwari Khal were also taken up. Directions were issued to the Jal Sansthan and District Panchayat Raj Officer for urgent remedial measures. Raipur resident Subhash Chandra Gupta complained about contaminated drinking water supply to his residence, prompting instructions for a spot inspection and urgent resolution of the issue.
Premnagar resident Ramesh Singh alleged that despite transfer of his electricity and water connections, he had been issued a water bill amounting to Rs 38,000. The Jal Sansthan was directed to resolve the matter. Allegations of irregularities in gas distribution and delay in supply to consumers by Aniket Gas Agency in Jhajhra were referred to the Supply Officer for investigation.
Several complainants also sought financial assistance during the public hearing. Monica, Anjali and Kunti Devi from Madhowala appealed for financial support towards their children’s education, while Anwari Jahan from Azad Nagar sought assistance for her daughter’s marriage. Prem Singh sought financial help for house repairs, while Ravikant Sharma and Sunita Sammal requested waiver of school fees for their children. Officials concerned were directed to conduct inquiries and submit reports.
The administration also took a stern view of the absence of the officials from the Municipal Corporation, Animal Husbandry, Police and Forest departments during the public hearing and sought explanations from the departments concerned.
Among those present during the public hearing include were SDMs Smrita Parmar, Vinod Kumar, Apoorva Singh, Kumkum Joshi and Aparna Dhoundiyal, District Development Officer (DDO) Sunil Kumar, Chief Education Officer (CEO) VK Dhoundiyal, Tehsildar Surendra Dev, Vivek Rajouri and several district-level officers from various departments.
