Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Feb: Dehradun District Administration today organised its weekly public hearing at the District Collectorate under the chairmanship of District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal. As many as 163 complaints pertaining to issues such as land disputes, encroachments, maintenance claims, bank loans and requests for financial assistance were received during the hearing. A large number of the complaints were resolved on the spot, the district administration claimed. The DM directed the officials to ensure time-bound redressal of complaints and to inform the complainants of the action taken in each case.
Among the cases taken up, widow Sunita from Dakra Chowk, Indranagar, sought financial assistance after the demise of her husband, stating that she was struggling to support her three children due to acute financial hardship. Taking immediate note of her plea, the DM instructed the in-charge officer, Arms, to provide financial assistance from the Rifle Club Fund. The District Social Welfare Officer was directed to sanction widow pension without delay and to report compliance.
In another case, an elderly woman from Race Course area complained that her two sons had allegedly prevented her and her husband from residing in their own house, subjected them to abuse and assault and had forced them out without shelter. Acting promptly, Bansal ordered that a case be registered under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. During the day’s public hearing, more than five such cases were registered under the Maintenance Act, and online FIRs were lodged on the spot where required.
Eighty-one-year-old Kanta Devi from Doiwala alleged that her granddaughter’s husband had fraudulently transferred her property in the granddaughter’s name and later sold the land. She stated that her signatures had been obtained under false pretences and that he had also made himself nominee in her bank account. When she visited the bank to withdraw funds, she found the account empty, having discovered that the money had been transferred online to the accused’s account. She further informed that her granddaughter had died under suspicious circumstances in 2024 and alleged that her entire property had been usurped. The District Magistrate directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Judicial) to initiate necessary legal proceedings.
Durga Prasad Nautiyal of Kunj Vihar, Kargi Chowk, complained that while sewer lines had been laid in his locality, his house had been left out. The DM instructed the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Finance and Revenue and the Disaster Management Officer to seek clarification from the Uttarakhand Urban Sector Development Agency (UUSDA) and ensure appropriate resolution.
Suresh Chauhan of Vidhata Enclave stated that despite having deposited the fee in 2024 for shifting an electricity pole, no action had been taken in the case. The DM directed the Executive Engineer, Electricity, to explain the delay and complete the necessary work.
Retired teacher Sushila Negi submitted a complaint stating that although she had been teaching at Police Public School for several years, she was being harassed by the principal without justification. Bansal directed the Chief Education Officer (CEO) to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit an action taken report by 20 February.
Residents of Chharba village in Vikasnagar tehsil alleged illegal encroachment on barren land, bushes and ponds belonging to the Vinoba Bhave Trust. A committee under the chairmanship of the SDM Vikasnagar, was constituted to conduct a high-level inquiry and submit its report to the DM within 10 days.
Anandmani Dimri of Mahalaxmipur, Mothrowala, alleged that a road constructed in his area by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project authorities is deteriorating due to substandard materials and non-compliance with norms. The DM directed the Project Director, UUSDA, to conduct an inspection and initiate action as warranted.
In another case, an elderly father complained that while his son was undergoing treatment at a de-addiction centre, a recovery notice had been pasted on his gate by Ram Finance Company. Upon inquiry, it emerged that the finance company had allegedly sanctioned a personal loan to his son on the basis of an electricity bill without proper documentation. The complainant sought action against such lending practices. The DM sought legal opinion from the District Government Counsel (Civil) on the issue.
Munna Singh Chauhan, a labourer from Sudhowala, complained that a contractor had withheld his wages and confiscated his tools. Bansal directed the Assistant Labour Commissioner to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. Hariram Dubey of Aryanagar, who had served as a daily wage employee in government service and had worked with Premier Motors on Rajpur Road in 1966, alleged that he had been assured wages and benefits at par with government service. He stated that the establishment had since shifted to Haridwar Bypass Road and had paid only Rs 1.55 lakh towards dues. He appealed for settlement of remaining payments, following which the Assistant Labour Commissioner was directed to take appropriate action.
On this occasion, the officials asserted that the district administration is continuing its outreach efforts to ensure accessibility and accountability in governance, with on-the-spot grievance registration, digital complaint tracking and coordination among departments forming key components of the initiative.
