Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma reviewed public grievances from across the state through the Sambhav grievance redressal portal on Wednesday and directed officials to ensure their time-bound and effective resolution.
During the virtual public hearing, Sharma ordered immediate action in several cases and directed inquiries in serious or pending matters, including action against officials found responsible for negligence. Several complainants whose cases had been resolved also expressed their gratitude to the minister.
In an electricity-related complaint from Ghazipur, Ram Pratap Singh reported that work had not begun despite payment of the estimated amount. Sharma directed the Managing Director of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam to investigate the matter and take appropriate action, terming the delay a serious lapse.
On a complaint from Gonda regarding the removal of contractual workers, Sharma directed the concerned MD to examine the matter and ensure action according to rules. In Firozabad, a bereaved family thanked the minister after compensation related to the death of a contractual worker was facilitated.
During the Urban Development Department hearing, Shahjahanpur resident Ankit Bharti complained that his records had not been updated despite payment of tax. Sharma questioned why such matters had reached the ministerial level and warned that recurrence of similar complaints could invite action against responsible officials.
In Gorakhpur, officials were directed to install solar lights at identified locations. In Lucknow, complaints concerning sewage, contaminated water and encroachment were ordered to be resolved within the stipulated timeframe.
Sharma also directed energy officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply and immediately upgrade transformers in areas experiencing increased electricity loads. He stressed that action should target electricity theft rather than consumers who regularly pay their bills.
The minister instructed district-level officials to improve their working methods and said negligence in public-interest matters would not be tolerated. He emphasised that grievance redressal should result in actual relief for complainants rather than merely completing paperwork.
Senior officials, including DG Vigilance Ram Krishna Swarnkar, Principal Secretary Energy Ranveer Prasad, Principal Secretary Urban Development P. Guru Prasad, Secretary Anuj Kumar Jha and senior officers from the energy and urban development departments, attended the hearing.
