DM Hears 194 Public Grievances on Samadhan Diwas, Directs Time-Bound Resolution
Questions Raised Over Bank Loan Approval Process; Report Sought in House Auction Notice Case
Son Refuses to Support Elderly Father After Property Transfer; Action Ordered Under Maintenance Act
Special Focus on Child Health, Women’s Safety, and Monsoon Preparedness
Dehradun:
In an effort to ensure prompt, effective, and transparent redressal of public grievances, District Magistrate (DM) Dr. Ashish Chauhan heard 194 complaints during the weekly Samadhan Diwas (Public Grievance Redressal Day) held on Monday. He directed all departmental officers to ensure timely and quality disposal of complaints and warned that unnecessary delays in resolving public issues would not be tolerated.
The grievances primarily related to land disputes, encroachment, demarcation, land fraud, loan waivers, legal assistance, financial aid, and drinking water supply. The DM instructed concerned departments to take priority action in all cases.
Special Focus on Child Health and Maternal Care
The District Magistrate directed the Health Department to identify children suffering from serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, cancer, and asthma under the National Child Health Programme. He instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive database of such children and organize special medical camps to ensure timely treatment and healthcare support.
He also directed the department to prepare a micro-level action plan to ensure that pregnant women living in remote villages without proper road connectivity receive timely healthcare services and reach hospitals safely before delivery.
Accelerating Road, Bridge, and River Protection Works Before Monsoon
Keeping the upcoming monsoon season in view, the DM instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) and Irrigation Department to expedite blacktopping and improvement of internal city roads. He also directed officials to complete repair, strengthening, and safety works on 11 major bridges in the district at the earliest.
Additionally, he emphasized the need to fast-track river channelization works in low-lying areas to minimize flood-related risks. The Municipal Corporation was directed to submit a detailed list of illegal dumping zones along with photographic evidence.
Measures to Improve Women’s Safety
Prioritizing women’s safety, Dr. Chauhan directed authorities to identify dark spots in major towns and urban areas and ensure adequate street lighting. He stressed that creating a safe public environment for women should remain a key administrative priority.
The DM also instructed departments to expedite the disposal of obsolete government materials, maintain cleanliness in offices, conduct regular inspections, and ensure quick disposal of pending pension and ACP (Assured Career Progression) cases.
DM Orders Inquiry Into Illegal Encroachment Complaint by 85-Year-Old Citizen
An 85-year-old resident of Matawala Bagh, Som Prakash, complained about alleged illegal encroachment on his property as well as Municipal Corporation land, along with allegations of extortion. Taking serious note of the matter, the District Magistrate directed the Municipal Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report.
Son Accused of Taking Property and Refusing Financial Support
Another complaint was filed by Ramashankar Singh, a resident of Shyampur, who alleged that his son, a government employee, persuaded him to transfer ownership of his house to his daughter-in-law by promising monthly financial support of ₹10,000–15,000. However, after the transfer, the son allegedly stopped providing any support, leaving the elderly father in financial distress.
The DM directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to initiate action under the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.
Bank Loan Approval Process Comes Under Scrutiny
In another case, a differently-abled resident of Yamuna Vihar, Robin D’Cruz, raised concerns regarding a property dispute and alleged harassment. The matter was referred to the SDM (Sadar) for investigation and necessary action.
The District Magistrate also took serious note of a complaint where a homeowner received an auction notice from a bank after being unable to repay a housing loan. Questioning the loan sanction process, the DM directed the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and the Lead Bank Officer to investigate and submit a detailed report.
“If the applicant was not financially capable of repaying the loan, on what basis was the loan approved?” the DM asked while ordering the inquiry.
Directions Issued on Various Development and Public Welfare Issues
The DM also reviewed complaints related to drainage problems in Rajeshwar Nagar, the Balawala drinking water scheme, land issues in Badkot Mafi area of Rishikesh, alleged illegal sale of Tourism Department land in Jheelwala and Ranipokhari, and security arrangements for a playground in Thakurpur. Necessary directions were issued to the concerned departments.
In a separate case involving harassment of a woman, the District Programme Officer was directed to provide legal assistance and protection through the One Stop Centre.
Widow Asha Devi sought assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while Savita Banwal requested financial assistance. The DM directed the concerned departments to take appropriate action on both applications.
Departments Must Be Accountable and Citizen-Centric: DM
Dr. Ashish Chauhan stated that negligence in resolving public grievances would not be tolerated. He emphasized that all departments must proactively address citizens’ concerns and ensure effective, transparent, and time-bound grievance redressal.
The Samadhan Diwas meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) K.K. Mishra, ADM (Administration) Smrita Parmar, SDM Kumkum Joshi, Project Director Vikram Singh, District Development Officer Sunil Kumar, and other district-level officials.
