MCC fails to open complaint centres
By Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — Thousands of residents wishing to register complaints regarding the civic amenities in the city are at their wits’ end as the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has failed to open complaint centres and publish the “citizen’s charter” for the redress of public grievances.

The opening of the complaint centres, which was to be accomplished by August 15 last year as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Indian Independence, had been delayed as the civic body, long-infamous for delaying things, was yet to finalise the charter. The much-awaited charter was to give such details as officials responsible for the redress of specific complaints, the time to be taken for the redressal of the complaints, address and telephone number of the official concerned and the location of the complaint centre.

It may be mentioned that the ambitious proposal to set up 10 complaint centres for the 20 wards of the city was first mooted by the Engineering Department in the middle of the last year, as it was felt that the existing three complaint centres were not enough for the whole city. Later, each of the 20 wards was to have its own complaint centre. But since then, it seems to be at the “discussion level” and had failed to take a concrete shape.

In fact, official sources said complaint centres were “almost complete” as buildings and necessary infrastructure had been “created” for them. But the House of the corporation had failed to sanction the staff for manning the centres with the result that the publication of the charter and setting up of the complaint centres had been delayed.

At one of the meetings of the corporation recently, councillors had termed the demand for recruiting a clerk, a telephone attendant and a peon for each of the complaint centre as “unjustified”. The House had then referred the matter back to the officials for reconsideration but the matter rests there and never came up for discussion at the meeting of the House.

Even as the MCC drags its feet on the opening of the centres, the general public is at the receiving end. In the absence of a proper platform for the registration of the complaints in major parts of the city, a large number of resident approach top functionaries, including the Mayor, the Commissioner and the Chief Engineer for the redress of minor complaints which could be redressed by the officials up to the level of the SDO.

Meanwhile, the setting up of the centres may not prove to be panacea for all ills if the maintenance of the civic amenities by the corporation over the past three years is any indication. Besides, inadequate staff strength in certain departments, like the road wing and the electricity wing, would only add to the woes of the civic body.

Make abuse to Army men punishable: Jagatguru
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Dec 22 — The government should bring forth a legislation which should make it punishable to abuse, harass or show disrespect to Army personnel, as was done in the case of Dalits, to restore the eroding respect of people towards serving as well as retired personnel.

This was stated by Jagatguru Shankracharya Madhavananda Saraswati, who is the Shankracharya of Prayag Peeth and founder of the Vishwa Kalyan Parishad (VKP), at a function held to announce the office-bearers of the Atma Raksha Sangh (ARS), a frontal organisation of the VKP, here this afternoon. He is a former soldier who was arrested for resorting to an indefinite fast to protest against the police firing on protesting sadhus in front of Parliament to ban cow slaughter. He spent three months in prison in Gurdaspur for this act and was sacked from the Army.

Lt-Gen P. N. Hoon, former GOC-in-C, Western Command, was nominated as the Chief National Coordinator, while Air Commodore H. S. Dhillon the coordinator for the northern zone and Col G. S. Bajwa will look after Chandigarh. Col H. S. Kahlon will oversee activities of the organisation in Punjab. Mr Anil Mitter, Chairman, Delhi Cantonment Board, was also present on the occasion.

Addressing an impressive gathering of former armed forces personnel, the Jagatguru said it was the duty of the government to safeguard the honour of the men in olive green as he gives a major part of his life for the country and when the occasion arises, lays it down too. It was sad that while a disciplined man is harassed and abused, corrupt and dishonest politicians and bureaucrats continue to rule the roost.

He said the ex-servicemen should have a greater say in the affairs of the country as only they can bring the much-needed discipline. The scams that rock the country and the disgust of the people can be gauged from the fact that the national voting average is only about 60 per cent, he pointed out.

"It is ironic that while politicians stress that discipline and honesty should be the catchwords. It should be mandatory for all politicians to declare their assets at regular intervals and furnish certificates of their antecedents at the time of joining politics," he added.

Replying to a query, the Shankracharya said he wanted Article 370 repealed as it was a major stumbling block in the return to normalcy for the state. The governments had dragged their feet on the matter and the Centre was responsible for letting things come to such a pass. If the politicians took them into confidence, they would solve the problem in 10 days, he asserted.

On the Ram mandir issue, he said he was for building the temple but also wanted that a mosque should be built nearby at a spot agreeable to the Muslim community. The politicians have used religion and twisted it to suit their needs, otherwise the Ram mandir is no issue, he claimed.

He also said that only economically weaker sections, irrespective of caste, should be given reservation.

A Sainik Samman Divas will be held on January 1 every year in Delhi where a soldier would be honoured with a gold medal, he declared.