*Probe Ordered Against Chaudmastpur SDO Over Delay in Tubewell Connection, SIT to Investigate Death of Married Woman*

*District Social Welfare Officer Reprimanded Over Pension Complaints; Directions Issued for Prompt Resolution*

Chandigarh, September 17: Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij took strong action during a public grievance hearing held in Ambala Cantonment on Wednesday, directing the suspension of two police post in-charges for alleged failure and delay in registering FIRs in separate theft cases.

Sh. Vij also ordered an inquiry against the SDO of Chaudmastpur Sub-Division after a farmer complained that his tubewell connection had not been restored for nearly a year. In another case concerning the death of a married woman, he directed the constitution of an SIT to ensure an impartial investigation.

During the public grievance hearing at the PWD Rest House in Ambala Cantonment, Vij heard complaints from residents and directed the concerned officials to take appropriate action. SDM Kanika Goyal, Municipal Council President Swarna Kaur, Vice President Lalta Prasad, officials from various departments, councillors and BJP office-bearers were also present.

*Police Post In-Charges Suspended Over Theft Cases*

A woman from Staff Road complained to Sh.Vij that on September 9, thieves allegedly forcibly entered her house, rendered her father unconscious by administering a substance and stole 20 tolas of gold and cash. She said that despite submitting a complaint at the Topkhana Police Post and having CCTV footage, no FIR was initially registered. According to the complainant, the FIR was registered only after she informed the police that she was going to approach Minister Anil Vij. Taking note of the complaint, Vij reprimanded the police officials present and questioned why action had not been taken despite the availability of evidence. He directed that the in-charge of Topkhana Police Post be suspended.

In another theft case, a priest from Kaccha Bazaar told Sh. Vij that the lock of his room in the temple had been broken and articles had been stolen. He said he had submitted a complaint at the Housing Board Police Post on September 5, but no action had been taken and no FIR had been registered. When Sh. Vij sought an explanation from the police officials, he directed that the in-charge of the Housing Board Police Post also be suspended.

*Inquiry Ordered Against Chaudmastpur SDO Over Tubewell Connection*

A farmer from Nadiali village in Ambala Cantonment complained that his agricultural tubewell connection had been disconnected in 2025. He said he subsequently applied for restoration of the connection and had no outstanding electricity bill, but the connection had still not been restored even after nearly a year. The farmer further stated that the delay had adversely affected his crops due to the lack of irrigation. Taking cognizance of the complaint, Sh. Vij directed the SE, Ambala, to conduct an inquiry against the SDO concerned. In another case, he also ordered an inquiry into a complaint regarding delay in removing a transformer at Rampur Sarsehri despite it reportedly no longer being in use.

*SIT Ordered in Death Case of Married Woman*

Residents from Mahesh Nagar approached Sh. Vij seeking an investigation into the death of a married woman. The complainants alleged that although a murder case had been registered, they believed the death was a case of suicide. Sh. Vij directed the constitution of an SIT and ordered an impartial investigation into the matter.

*District Social Welfare Officer Reprimanded Over Pension Complaints*

Several complaints relating to pensions were brought before Sh. Vij during the hearing. The complainants alleged that they had repeatedly visited departmental offices but were not receiving a satisfactory response. Vij spoke to the District Social Welfare Officer over the phone and reprimanded the official, directing that the pending cases be resolved before the following week. In one case, a woman complained that her old-age pension had been stopped since December last year. She said she had made several visits to the department but was repeatedly told that her data was being corrected from Chandigarh. Another woman from Mahesh Nagar complained that her pension had not been sanctioned due to an alleged error in her name in the departmental records. She said that despite visiting the department around ten times, no action had been taken. A woman from Deena Ki Mandi also raised a pension-related grievance before the Minister. Sh. Vij directed the department to take appropriate action in all such cases.

*Strict Directions on Recovery of Outstanding Electricity Bills*

During the hearing, a complainant with outstanding electricity dues of around ₹1 lakh requested additional time for payment. Sh. Vij took a firm view on the matter and said, “If you have used electricity, you also have to pay for it.” He directed the discom officials present to ensure immediate payment of the outstanding amount. He also directed the department to initiate a recovery drive across Haryana in cases where electricity bills have remained unpaid beyond the prescribed billing cycle, in accordance with the applicable rules.

*Police Reprimanded Over Theft Complaints in Tangri Dam Road Colonies*

Residents of Ganesh Vihar and other colonies adjoining Tangri Dam Road raised complaints regarding incidents of theft. Sh. Vij reprimanded the SHO of Mahesh Nagar and directed the police to take appropriate action, increase patrolling and strengthen security in the affected areas. Residents also complained about the absence of streetlights along Tangri Dam Road. Sh. Vij directed the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council to install streetlight poles and ensure illumination in the area. Several other grievances were also brought before the Minister during the public hearing.

*“A Complainant’s Problem Should Be Resolved in One Visit” — Anil Vij*

Speaking to media persons after the public grievance hearing, Sh. Vij said he had directed officials that when a complainant approaches the grievance redressal system and the complaint is forwarded to the concerned department, efforts should be made to resolve the issue without requiring the person to make repeated visits. “If there is any difficulty in resolving a complaint, the complainant should be informed in writing about the status and the reason for the delay,” he said, adding that people should not be made to make repeated rounds of government offices.

Sh. Vij further said that failure to register an FIR after an incident would not be tolerated. He directed the police officials that an FIR should be registered first, followed by investigation and further action as per law. On outstanding electricity bills, Vij said it was a matter of concern that consumers could have lakhs of rupees in pending dues while electricity supply continued. He said directions had been issued to take action in accordance with the applicable rules.

*Sh. Vij Extends Birthday Greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi*

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Sh. Vij said the occasion was more than just a date on the calendar and stated that Prime Minister Modi had focused on development and public trust. Referring to the Prime Minister’s 25 years of public service, Sh. Vij said various schemes had been implemented for different sections of society during this period.

He appealed to beneficiaries of government schemes and members of the public to light an “Aashirwad Ka Diya” at their homes and extend their good wishes to Prime Minister Modi on his birthday.