*Public representatives and officials are meant to serve the people, prompt redressal of complaints must be the priority – Energy Minister Anil Vij*

*Several cases redressed on the spot at Kaithal District Grievance Redressal Committee meeting, new directions issued to hand over serious murder case to CBI – Anil Vij*

*Officials should not keep complaints pending unnecessarily, speedy disposal is the hallmark of good governance – Vij*

*High-level committee constituted to probe alleged irregularities in Labour Department – Vij*

*AAP’s allegations are baseless, an attempt to divert public attention – Vij*

Chandigarh, February 13. Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that it is the responsibility of public representatives and officials to work in a manner that ensures timely justice and the actual benefits of government schemes reach the common people. He said clearly that “We and the officers are here for the people; therefore, our priority should be the prompt and effective resolution of public grievances.”

Sh. Vij was speaking to media representatives after the meeting of the District Grievance Redressal Committee held in Kaithal. He informed that several complaints received during the meeting were redressed on the spot, while some complex matters have been kept pending for necessary action.

The Minister further said that a serious murder case, which has been pending for a long time and in which the police have not yet reached any concrete conclusion, is being moved forward for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said the matter is highly sensitive and serious, and therefore requires a fair and detailed probe. Directions had already been made in previous meetings regarding a CBI inquiry, and today he has spoken to the Home Secretary to expedite the process.

He clarified that until the case is formally handed over to the CBI, the police will continue their investigation and necessary proceedings. The police have already filed an application in court in this matter, and once the court grants permission, a narco test of the accused will also be conducted.

Replying to another question, Sh. Vij reiterated that the primary objective of governance and administration is public service. He said that officials should not unnecessarily delay cases that can be resolved at their level, but instead ensure their immediate disposal. He emphasized that complaints of poor and needy citizens, in particular, should be addressed with sensitivity and promptness. Speedy redressal of grievances, he added, is the true mark of good governance.

Responding to a question regarding alleged irregularities amounting to Rs 1,500 crore in the Labour Department, the Minister said that at the initial stage, all Deputy Commissioners had been instructed through written communication to constitute committees to investigate the matter. District-level committees have conducted inquiries. Additionally, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has constituted a high-level committee to carry out a detailed investigation into the entire issue to ensure transparency and impartiality.

On being asked about the Congress president’s new political strategy, Sh. Vij said that the party is fragmented and keeps attempting to reunite its scattered factions from time to time, but they eventually break apart again.

Responding to allegations by the Aam Aadmi Party regarding the alleged purchase of MLAs by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Sh. Vij said that the Chief Minister has already clarified that he is not aware of any such matter and does not even know the person being referred to. He added that it appears that the Aam Aadmi Party is attempting to divert public attention in Punjab.

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Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij Orders Suspension of Police Official, FIR Against JE; Vigilance Probe into Rajound Municipal Committee

Chandigarh, February 13- Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij today chaired the District Public Grievances Redressal Committee meeting in Kaithal and issued strict directions in several cases, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accountability and prompt redressal of public grievances.

During the hearing of a land dispute case, the Minister ordered the immediate suspension of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and directed that a case be registered. In another matter, he instructed that an FIR be lodged against a Junior Engineer (JE) following allegations of bribery. A total of 15 complaints—nine pending and six new—were taken up during the meeting. The Minister maintained a firm stance and emphasized that officers must act swiftly and responsibly on complaints received from the public.

Acting on a complaint alleging financial irregularities in works executed over the past three-and-a-half years by the Rajound Municipal Committee, Sh. Vij ordered a detailed investigation by the Haryana Vigilance Department. In a separate matter concerning illegal borewell connections in a housing scheme colony in Village Pai, he directed the constitution of an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the ADC, with instructions to submit its report at the next meeting.

The Minister made it clear that if any complaint is found to be false, action will also be taken against the complainant as per rules. He further ordered recovery of financial assistance disbursed under the Marriage Shagun Scheme to a beneficiary found ineligible.

Directions for CBI Probe in Murder Case, Recovery Orders and Swift Administrative Action

In a complaint filed by Sandeep Malik of Village Titram and others, alleging improper transfer and cancellation of a land-related case without consent, the Minister ordered the suspension of a police official involved, pending completion of the inquiry. He also directed that due process be followed and the complainants be given a proper hearing.
In another case, Krishna Kumar of Village Kithana alleged that a JE had demanded a bribe for shifting a transformer in Sanghan. The Minister instructed Discom officials to shift the transformer immediately and register a case against the JE based on the bribery complaint.

While hearing a complaint from Neetu Maun of Rishi Nagar regarding her brother’s murder, Sh. Vij spoke to the Home Secretary over the phone and urged expeditious action on the request sent by Kaithal Police for a CBI investigation. He directed the Superintendent of Police to review weekly progress reports and ensure continued investigation until the CBI formally takes over the case. He said that necessary court permission be obtained to conduct a narco test, if required.

In a cheating case involving a youth from Village Malkhedi who was allegedly defrauded of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of being sent abroad, the Minister ordered a change of the investigating officer and directed immediate arrest of the accused, whose bail plea had already been rejected by the court. He also instructed that the concerned commission agent be summoned to the police station and included in the investigation. In another matter related to the Marriage Shagun Scheme, following submission of an inquiry report by a committee headed by the ADC, it was found that a beneficiary was ineligible. The Minister ordered recovery of the assistance amount already disbursed.

He further directed the Chief Medical Officer to have a complaint regarding loss of eyesight after surgery examined by a medical negligence board. Several other complaints were disposed of after departments submitted compliance reports or as the matters were found to be sub judice. After the formal proceedings, Anil Vij heard grievances from a large number of citizens and directed the district administration to ensure timely and transparent resolution. He reiterated that officers must treat public complaints with utmost seriousness and act without delay in the interest of justice and good governance.