Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 25 May: Soon after assuming charge as the District Magistrate of Dehradun, Ashish Chauhan appeared in action mode and directly interacted with citizens during the Janata Milan programme organised at the Collectorate premises here today. It may be reminded that public hearing is held every Monday. On this occasion, the new DM stressed on the need for prompt resolution of public grievances and he directed the officials to ensure regular monitoring and time-bound disposal of complaints and announced that an online grievance tracking and redressal mechanism would be developed at the district level to provide relief to citizens and prevent them from making repeated visits to government offices for the same issue.
A total of 115 complaints were received during the public hearing programme today, with most of them related to land disputes. Apart from this, issues concerning loan waiver, flood protection walls, financial assistance, pedestrian bridges and village pathways were also raised by members of the public. Chauhan heard each matter seriously and instructed the officials concerned to ensure quality-based and timely disposal of all complaints.
One of the major issues highlighted during the programme was raised by eight families from Ranipokhari Grant area, who expressed concern over the threat of flooding during the upcoming monsoon season and demanded the construction of a protection wall. Taking immediate cognisance of the matter, the DM directed the SDM of Doiwala to conduct a joint survey along with the Irrigation Department and initiate necessary action without delay.
In another complaint, Manju Bisht, a resident of Tunwala, alleged that some individuals attempting to encroach upon her privately measured land had damaged the demarcation by breaking fencing wires and using bulldozers. She sought a fair inquiry, fresh demarcation of the land and strict action against those responsible. Chauhan instructed the SDM Sadar to take prompt action in the matter. Similarly, in a land dispute case pending since 2008 in Vikasnagar tehsil, Chauhan directed the officials concerned to ensure immediate disposal of the matter.
A complaint regarding a damaged culvert and repair of the Kathang canal in Jhitad village of Chakrata block was also brought before the District Magistrate. Taking the matter seriously, he instructed the District Development Officer to conduct an inspection and prepare a proposal for the required works.
The Janata Milan programme also witnessed emotionally charged appeals from financially distressed citizens. Mohan Kashyap, a resident of Sahaspur, pleaded for loan relief and requested the administration to intervene and stop the auction of his house. He informed the District Magistrate that he had taken a housing loan of Rs 40 lakh from a finance company in 2023 and had regularly deposited instalments till 2025. However, due to his mother’s prolonged illness and death, expenses incurred on his sisters’ marriages and losses suffered in business, his financial condition had deteriorated significantly. He said the company had now published a notice regarding auction of the house. Taking note of the matter, the District Magistrate directed the Lead Bank Officer to investigate the case and submit a report.
Several complaints related to education and welfare were also raised during the hearing. Sapna, a resident of Dalanwala, sought financial assistance to continue her nursing education, while Arsh from THDC Colony requested issuance of an EWS certificate for admission into a BSc Nursing course. Chauhan directed the authorities concerned to examine the matters sympathetically and take appropriate action.
The DM also took serious note of the plight of an elderly citizen, Prem Singh, who is reportedly living in a dilapidated house under unsafe conditions. He instructed the Dehradun Municipal Corporation to take immediate necessary action in the matter to ensure the safety and welfare of the elderly resident.
In another significant case, a complaint regarding illegal encroachment on Gram Sabha land in Rampur Kalan was brought before the administration. Chauhan directed the SDM Sadar to conduct a thorough inquiry and initiate action to remove the encroachment in accordance with the law.
The DM reiterated that the district administration would function with accountability, sensitivity and transparency, and asserted that public grievances would be addressed on priority. He said effective governance could only be ensured when citizens received timely relief and administrative mechanisms remained responsive to their concerns.
Among those present on the occasion were senior administrative officials including ADM KK Mishra, Joint Magistrate Rahul Anand, SDMs Smrita Parmar, Apoorva Singh, Kumkum Joshi, Vinod Kumar and Aparna Dhaudiyal, Project Director Vikram Singh, District Development Officer Sunil Kumar and district-level officers from various departments were present during the Janata Milan programme.
