Public grievances: CM throws weight behind complaint redressal cell

Khattak hears string of complaints made by people

PESHAWAR: The provincial government has developed an effective complaint redressal cell to ensure the public’s grievances are duly recorded and addressed.

This was said by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and mentioned in a handout issued by the CM’s Secretariat on Saturday. According to the document, Khattak made this announcement while he was addressing a delegation of journalists from Lahore.

“[More often than not] people’s complaints go unheard,” the handout quoted him as saying. “However, there is now a growing realisation that public services and the social sector exist to ensure convenience for the people. Grievances should be dealt with through complaint redressal mechanism.”

Chief Minister’s Complaint and Redressal Cell (CRC) Chairperson Dilroz Khan briefed the CM and journalists about the function of the mechanism. He drew attention to various modes of communication during the redressal process.

Khattak also heard a string of complaints made by people during the occasion and ordered the relevant authorities to settle them as soon as possible.

“Powers and authority carry elements of accountability and responsibility,” the document quoted the CM as saying. “This is exactly what the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government is doing.”

According to the CM, the government will never make compromises and will always give priority to what is legal.

“The government will support those who have supported legal complaints and their problems would be resolved through an effective complaint cell,” the document was quoted as saying. “In the past, no one took the responsibility to ensure accountability. However, there has now been a shift in the approach.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2016.