Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) on Friday directed all the Additional Deputy Commissioners (Development)-cum-District Grievance Redressal Officers (DGROs) to ensure expeditious and effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved parties, in the matters related to distribution of entitled food grains under the National Food Security Act.
Holding a video conference with the DGROs, PSFC chairman DP Reddy directed them to install grievances boxes in their offices, fair price shops, schools, anganwadi centers, SDM offices, tehsil offices and at other public places.
He also said that the boxes should be opened at least once in three days to retrieve the complaints, so that immediate action could be taken for their redressal.
DGROs were also instructed to display their office addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and fax numbers in their own offices and other public places in addition to the websites of the District Administration.
For a fair and speedy disposal of complaints, Reddy suggested a uniform, efficient method for handling complaints. “Every complaint received should be dealt with on a separate file by assigning a unique number for each complaint and an acknowledgement as a written receipt or through electronic means be communicated to the complainant within one day of the receipt of the complaint while specifying the date and unique grievance number,” he said.
Reddy said that thereafter, the DGROs should issue notices to the complainant and the concerned officers after duly fixing the date of hearing, followed by passing of interim orders (jimni orders) after recording the statements and evidences.
Reddy said that the complaints are required to be decided within 45 days from the date of receipt of complaint.
In case there is any delay in deciding the complaint, an interim reply is required to be sent to the complainant giving reasons for the delay. A copy of which is to be sent to the Punjab State Food Commission also for information, in all cases, where there is delay.
Reddy said that in the absence of non-appearance of the complainant, DGRO can dismiss the complaint by passing a speaking order. “In case the defending party is absent, the DGRO can inquire into the matter ex-parte and decide the complaint by passing a speaking order. A copy of the order, so passed, shall be supplied to the complainant and also to the Commission for information,” he added.