Ambala, October 29 (R. Singh):- Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij today heard public grievances at the PWD Rest House in Ambala Cantonment and issued strict directions to the concerned officials present. He stated that whenever he recommends a solution to any problem during a public grievance hearing, it must be resolved within one week or seven days.
During the public hearing, a person complained about an alleged illegal electricity connection at Jaggi City Centre, claiming that the land belonged to the Municipal Corporation and an illegal electricity connection had been installed there. The complainant stated that the connection at Jaggi City Centre had been obtained in the name of a house in Friends Colony, Model Town, located four kilometres away. He said that he had brought a copy of the 1960 Jamabandi (land record) and a map from 1963, which showed that the land originally belonged to the Panchayat and later became the property of the Municipal Corporation. He also stated that a case concerning Jaggi City Centre was pending before the Lokayukta Court. Furthermore, he alleged that the Municipal Corporation had issued a fraudulent No Dues Certificate (NDC). He maintained that since the land was government property, the electricity connection installed there was suspicious.
After hearing the complaint, Vij asked the complainant to submit all the documents along with a written application, following which action would be taken. Vij said, "My name is Anil Vij, and whoever is found guilty in this matter, regardless of how influential or senior that person may be, will not be spared." After receiving the application and other documents, Vij immediately directed the Deputy Commissioner to constitute a committee to conduct a thorough investigation.
During the public hearing, another person lodged a complaint against the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Ambala, alleging that money was being made in the name of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and that corruption in Ambala had taken root like the coronavirus rather than merely spreading like termites. He demanded that the Municipal Corporation Commissioner be removed from public dealings. Taking note of the complaint, Vij directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee to investigate the matter.
Similarly, a resident of Samain village in Tohana, Fatehabad district, reported that his electricity meter had not been installed for the past 12 months. Expressing his displeasure, Vij reprimanded the concerned Superintending Engineer and asked why the consumer had not been provided an electricity connection for the last 12 months despite having deposited the estimate. He reiterated, "My name is Anil Vij, and this will not be tolerated. As long as the Electricity Department is under my charge, work according to the law." He immediately directed the Superintending Engineer of Fatehabad, saying, "If you cannot perform your duties, I will appoint someone else in your position." He further said, "Take action and inform me within seven days, otherwise I will take action against you."
The issue of non-functional streetlights on the routes from Kalerheri to Panjokhra Sahib and from Topkhana to Panjokhra Sahib was also brought to Vij's attention. He directed the concerned officials to release the salaries of ANMs working in ESI within one week. In another matter, he instructed the concerned officials to clear the medical bills of a Roadways employee within the next week. He also directed the SDM to resolve the problem of a woman who had approached the authorities regarding a death certificate.
Expressing displeasure with Municipal Council officials, Vij said, "I know what happens in the Municipal Council." A complainant from Ward No. 15 stated that no action had been taken on his application, which was five years old. Reacting to this, Vij remarked, "I will not spare such an employee found guilty," and directed the concerned officials to take action within one week.
Expressing displeasure over complaints related to electricity bills, Vij reprimanded Electricity Department officials and directed them to take action within one week and inform the complainants so that they would not have to appear again at the next public grievance hearing. He also directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) to expedite police investigations in various cases and share information about the accused. In addition, Vij issued directions to the concerned officials regarding various other complaints. SDM Ambala Cantonment Kanika Goyal and other officials were present on the occasion.
