Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Jun: In a major step towards ensuring speedy and effective redressal of public grievances, the weekly Janata Darbar (public hearing to hear grievances at District Collectorate in Dehradun) held every Monday will now be organised as ‘Samadhan Diwas’. District Magistrate (DM) Dr Ashish Chauhan said all the public complaints and grievances would be registered online through the Chief Minister’s Helpline Portal, enabling regular monitoring, tracking and time-bound disposal of cases.
During the ‘Samadhan Diwas’ held at the Auditorium at the DM’s Office, today, the DM heard complaints relating to various departments and directed officials to ensure prompt resolution of issues. A total of 132 people presented their grievances before the DM.
According to the officials, the majority of complaints pertained to land disputes. Issues relating to loan waivers, financial assistance, pedestrian bridges, roads and public pathways also figured prominently during the hearing.
Taking note of the large number of land-related complaints, DM Ashish Chauhan significantly directed the formation of a high-level special cell at the district level. He said the cell would facilitate fast-track disposal of the cases related to land demarcation, possession, encroachment, tenant disputes, loan repayment matters and other revenue-related issues.
Addressing complaints related to healthcare services, the DM directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to prepare data on pregnant women residing in remote villages lacking road connectivity and ensure their regular monitoring. He instructed that women with high-risk pregnancies should be admitted to safe hospitals well before delivery. Directions were also issued for the introduction of a token system in hospitals to improve patient convenience and reduce the need for standing in long queues.
During the public hearing, 89-year-old ex-serviceman Radheshyam lodged a complaint alleging that a tenant had refused to vacate his house and had been issuing threats. Taking serious note of the matter, the DM directed the Circle Officer concerned to personally ensure its prompt resolution. Similarly, elderly citizen Bharat Bhushan Mittal complained of illegal occupation of private property and threats, following which the SDM Sadar, was directed to take immediate action.
On a complaint regarding encroachment on a public pathway in Kunja Grant village, the SDM Vikasnagar was instructed to hear both parties and take action in accordance with rules. In cases relating to crop damage caused by hailstorms in Vishlad, Athgaon, Bondur, Taplaad and Dwarkhat areas, the Horticulture Department was directed to conduct an inquiry and take necessary steps to facilitate prompt compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
A resident of Dalanwala, Muskan, informed the DM that she is unable to deposit her son’s school fees due to financial hardship and that the school had withheld his certificates. Treating the matter seriously, the DM directed the SDM Sadar to coordinate with the school administration and ensure an appropriate solution. In addition, widow Lata Thapliyal of Doiwala and elderly resident Manchal Bala of Araghar sought financial assistance from the administration.
On the request to launch the ‘Khushiyon Ki Sawari’ ambulance service in tribal areas such as Chakrata, Kwanasi and Lakhamandal, the CMO was directed to take necessary action. Instructions were also issued for examining the proposal to introduce Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, Smart City or electric bus services on the Dehradun–Doiwala–Bhaniyawala–Jolly–Thano route.
Dr Chauhan said negligence at any level in resolving public grievances would not be tolerated and emphasised that all departments must take proactive cognisance of complaints and ensure their effective and timely disposal.
ADM (Administration) KK Mishra, City Magistrate Pratyush Singh, SDMs Smrita Parmar, Arpana Dhaudiyal, Apoorva Singh, Project Director Vikram Singh, District Development Officer Sunil Kumar and district-level officers from various departments were among those present on the occasion.
