Resolve complaints or face action, Vij warns officials

Cabinet Minister Anil Vij today recommended the suspension of a Social Justice and Empowerment Department investigator for negligence in a pension-related case and ordered the constitution of SITs to probe two other cases.

The minister was addressing grievances during his weekly Janta Darbar at the PWD rest house in Ambala Cantonment when a divyang (differently abled) individual complained about his pension not being initiated despite previous directions. Upon learning that the delay was due to unverified documentation, Vij expressed dissatisfaction and recommended the suspension of investigator Avtar Singh.

The minister also pulled up police officials after a woman alleged inaction in a theft case and directed the SHO to take immediate action. Similarly, he instructed a DSP to reinvestigate an accident case after complaints of police inaction were raised by a family.

Vij criticised irrigation department officials for delays in development projects and expressed dissatisfaction over recurring complaints related to the police, power department and municipal council of Ambala Sadar.

Sanitation workers hired by a contractor complained about not receiving salaries for three months. Vij directed the Labour Department to investigate and take action against the contractor.

During the darbar, the minister addressed complaints about electricity poles, pensions, road construction, encroachments, drainage, illegal possession, tubewell connections and power meters. He also referred two cases related to murder and fraud to the IG Ambala Range, recommending investigations by Special Investigation Teams (SITs).

Vij emphasised the need for accountability among officials. “Clear directions were given to resolve grievances on priority so that no complainant returns with the same issue. If officials fail to act even after issues are raised in the Janta Darbar, it reflects poorly on their department's functioning,” he said.