Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Dec: A public hearing was organised today at the Dehradun collectorate on the orders of District Magistrate Savin Bansal. The public hearing was held under the chairmanship of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) KK Mishra. The event witnessed a large turnout of the people and, in all, 130 complaints were submitted covering a wide range of issues including domestic and land disputes, demarcation, road blacktopping, irrigation channels, loan waivers, financial grants, maintenance, and employment. Several matters were resolved on the spot, while others were referred to the departments concerned with due instructions for prompt and legally sound action.
Among those who presented their grievances on the occasion, Vidya Devi of Aamwala complained of being assaulted and evicted by her son and daughter-in-law, while Mangala of Shiv Colony reported that her husband had thrown her out and refused to provide maintenance. The SDM Sadar was directed to file maintenance suits in both cases. Another elderly woman from Laxman Chowk alleged harassment and assault by her sons and daughters-in-law, leading to instructions for the Station House Officer (SHO) Kotwali to investigate the matter.
Sixty-eight-year-old Jaspal Singh narrated his ordeal, stating that his son left for Dubai 14 years ago and has neither returned nor sent any financial support to him. He is now burdened with the responsibility of caring for his son’s wife and three children despite his own failing health, which has pushed the family into financial distress. He sought action against his son and assistance for the family’s maintenance.
Rekha Devi of Divya Vihar sought financial assistance for her daughter’s wedding, while Shamshad of Jawahar Colony and Suresh, who is visually impaired, sought monetary support and employment. Priyanka Dhiman appealed for financial assistance to continue her education. Bechu Ram, a labourer, informed the ADM that his son is speech and hearing impaired and expressed his inability to afford educational expenses. The Education Officer was instructed to extend necessary support for the child’s schooling.
Complaints of land mafia illegally encroaching on private property in Garhi Cantt were taken up, with the SDM Sadar directed to investigate and take due action. In a case of fraud involving Rs 15 lakhs and illegal land registration in Nayagaon, Vikas Nagar, the SHO was asked to probe and submit a report. The Irrigation Department was ordered to reopen a blocked irrigation channel in Sahaspur to facilitate timely sowing of crops. The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) was directed to act against unauthorised construction in Mandakini Vihar on Sahastradhara Road. In another case, the Public Works Department (PWD) was instructed to repair damaged drains near the Shiva Temple on Kailashpur main road in Chandrabani ward, while the Jal Nigam was asked to fix a broken water pipeline in Naugaon.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kalsi was directed to take immediate action against land mafia who had encroached upon Sidcul land and felled trees in another complaint related to land encroachment,
The complainants also raised concerns regarding land demarcation, registration, and removal of illegal encroachments.
Among the officers present during the public hearing were SDM Smrita Parmar, City Magistrate Pratyush Singh, SDM Apurva Singh, SDM Vinod Kumar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Santosh Kumar Pandey, Tehsildar Vivek Rajouri, along with officers from various departments.
