Probe ordered into allegations against ration depot holder, SDM assigned inquiry

Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa has ordered an inquiry into allegations levelled against a depot holder in the city, directing the Deputy Commissioner to ensure transparency and accountability.

Gangwa was chairing the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting at the Panchayat Bhawan here, where he listened to grievances of the public.

During meeting, Maninder Singh, a resident of Ramnagar, lodged a complaint about issuing of a fake BPL card and misappropriation of ration. Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand also supported the issue and demanded an in-depth inquiry into the matter. Reacting on his complaint related to the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affair Department, minister Gangwa ordered an investigation by a senior officer and instructed the Deputy Commissioner to assign the case to the SDM, Karnal. He also issued a show-cause notice to the District Food and Supplies Controller for failing to attend the meeting.

“Those involved in corrupt practices will not be spared under any circumstances,” said the minister. He reaffirmed that the state government was operating under a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption. He emphasised that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the state government was executing development projects. He directed government officials and employees to resolve public grievances within a stipulated time frame and on a priority basis, while ensuring no citizen was harassed unnecessarily.

The committee reviewed 15 grievances, of which five were resolved on the spot. For the remaining 10, the minister directed departments concerned to re-investigate and present updated reports at the next meeting.

Reacting to a complaint filed by Rekha of Munak village, who had an issue related to an insurance scheme, the minister directed the bank concerned and LIC officials to resolve her complaint within a week or face disciplinary action. Similarly, he expressed dissatisfaction over the report regarding a complaint by Ramesh Chandra from Santari village, whose house lies beneath high-voltage electric lines. He ordered a re-investigation by a sub-committee including Indri SDM and committee members.

Taking up the complaint of Bharpai from Gondar village, Gangwa directed the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) to ensure registration and give possession of her allotted plot. In another matter from Kuchpura village, where residents complained of health issues due to ash and dust emissions from a rice mill, the Pollution Control Board reported that the mill was temporarily shut during the off-season. Gangwa instructed officials to organise medical camps to assess villagers’ health and take immediate steps to resolve the ash problem, while enforcing pollution norms.

Responding to a complaint from residents of Dera Purbia at Ballah village about poor drainage, the minister directed the BDPO to find a solution before the next meeting and submit a report. In another case concerning repeated fee collection for property transfer, Gangwa ordered a high-level probe to determine the reasons and resolve the issue.

Haryana Tribune