*Energy Minister Anil Vij Issues Strict Directions at Public Grievance Hearing; Officials Must Resolve Complaints Within Seven Days*

*Alleged Illegal Electricity Connection at Jaggi City Centre to Be Investigated; Deputy Commissioner Directed to Constitute Committee*

*Anil Vij Expresses Anger Over Electricity Connection Delay of 12 Months; Gives Officer Seven-Day Ultimatum*

*Anil Vij Takes Strict View of Complaints Against MC and Electricity Department; Warns of Action Against Negligent Officials*

*Delays in Resolving Public Grievances Will Not Be Tolerated; No Complaint Should Recur at the Next Public Hearing: Anil Vij*

Chandigarh, October 29: Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij heard public grievances at the PWD Rest House in Ambala Cantonment today and directed the concerned officials to take prompt action. During the public grievance hearing, he issued strict instructions to the officials present, stating that every problem for which he directed a resolution during the hearing must be resolved within one week, that is, seven days.

*Alleged Illegal Electricity Connection at Jaggi City Centre to Be Investigated*

During the public hearing, a complainant raised the issue of an alleged illegal electricity connection at Jaggi City Centre. He claimed that the land on which Jaggi City Centre stands belongs to the Municipal Corporation and that an electricity connection had been obtained illegally.

According to the complainant, the electricity connection serving Jaggi City Centre had been obtained in the name of a house in Friends Colony, Model Town, approximately four kilometres away from the site. He said that he had brought a copy of the 1960 land revenue records (jamabandi) and had also presented a map dating back to 1963. He further stated that the land originally belonged to the village panchayat and was subsequently transferred to the Municipal Corporation.

The complainant also informed the minister that a case concerning Jaggi City Centre was pending before the Lokayukta court. Additionally, he alleged that the Municipal Corporation had issued a fraudulent No Dues Certificate (NDC). He questioned how an allegedly illegal electricity connection could have been provided on land claimed to be government property.

After hearing the grievance, Sh. Vij asked the complainant to submit a single comprehensive application along with all relevant documents so that the matter could be examined and appropriate action taken. Sh. Vij said emphatically, “My name is Anil Vij, and whoever is found guilty under the law in this matter, no matter how influential the person may be, will not be spared.”

Taking cognisance of the complaint and the documents submitted, Sh. Vij immediately directed the Deputy Commissioner to constitute a committee and conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

*Complaint Against Ambala Municipal Corporation Commissioner Referred for Inquiry*

During the public hearing, another complainant levelled allegations against the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Ambala, claiming that money was being made in the name of issuing NDCs. Describing the alleged extent of corruption in Ambala, the complainant said that it was spreading not like termites but like COVID-19. He demanded that the Municipal Corporation Commissioner be removed from public-facing duties.

Taking note of the complaint, Sh.Vij directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee to investigate the matter.

*Minister Expresses Anger Over 12-Month Delay in Electricity Connection*

A complainant from village Samain in the Tohana area of Fatehabad district informed the minister that his electricity meter had not been installed for the past 12 months.

Expressing strong displeasure, Sh. Vij reprimanded the concerned Superintending Engineer and questioned why the consumer had not been provided an electricity connection despite having deposited the estimated charges required for the connection. He said, “My name is Anil Vij, and this will not be tolerated. As long as the Electricity Department is under my charge, work must be carried out in accordance with the law.”

He immediately directed the Superintending Engineer of Fatehabad to ensure action, warning that if the officer was unable to perform his duties, someone else would be appointed in his place. Sh. Vij further stated, “Take action within seven days, or I will take action against you.”

*Streetlight Complaints and Pending Employee Payments Also Addressed*

The issue of non-functional streetlights along the Kalraheri–Panjokhra Sahib and Topkhana–Panjokhra Sahib stretches was also brought to the minister's attention. The concerned official informed him that some defective lights had already been repaired and that the remaining faulty lights would be identified and repaired.

Sh. Vij also directed the concerned officials to release the pending salaries of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) working with the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) system within one week. Regarding the pending medical bills of retired Haryana Roadways employees, he said that he had instructed the Transport Department to dispose of all such cases as quickly as possible. He also directed the concerned officials to ensure payment of a Roadways employee's medical bills within the next seven days.

In another case, a woman approached the minister regarding a mutation of land records (intakal). Sh. Vij directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to resolve her grievance.

Anil Vij Warns Municipal Council Officials Over Five-Year-Old Pending Application

Expressing displeasure with Municipal Council officials, Sh. Vij said that he was aware of the functioning of the Municipal Council. A complainant from Ward No. 15 informed him that no action had been taken on an application submitted five years ago. Responding to the complaint, Sh. Vij said, “I will not spare any employee found guilty of negligence.” He directed the concerned officials to take action within one week.

*Electricity Bill Complaints Must Be Resolved Within Seven Days*

Expressing strong displeasure over complaints related to electricity bills, Sh. Vij reprimanded Discoms officials and directed them to resolve the grievances within one week and inform the complainants of the action taken. He made it clear that the complainants should not have to return with the same grievances at the next public hearing.

Directions were also issued to the concerned officials regarding complaints related to the Labour Department, installation and removal of electricity poles, exploring alternatives for rerouting cables from substations, chain snatching and the non-availability of solar meters, among other issues.

*Police Directed to Expedite Investigations and Improve Coordination to Curb Crime*

Sh. Vij also directed the Superintendent of Police to expedite investigations into various cases and ensure that information relating to criminals was shared appropriately.

He called for the formation of a dedicated coordination committee to help reduce such incidents and strengthen coordination among the concerned departments, with the objective of bringing crime under control in the district. In addition, Sh. Vij issued necessary directions to the concerned officials regarding various other complaints received during the public hearing.

SDM Ambala Cantonment Kanika Goyal and other officials were also present on the occasion.