PGR mechanism to be made effective in Andaman

Port Blair, Jan 9: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel and Public Grievances will recommend setting up of a Human Rights Commission in Andaman for public interest, Committee's chairman E M Sudarsana Natchiappan said here.

Addressing a press conference, here yesterday the Chairman said the purpose of visit of the committee here was to ensure that the Public Grievances Reddressal (PGR) mechanism functions effectively.

Every department should have such a cell with designated officers so that a common man can approach and get his grievances redressed fast, he said adding that the grievances should be settled within a fixed time period.

Mr Natchiappan admitted that complaints were received about improper functioning of the Cell in several organisations including government departments.

The Committee had directed the concerned authorities to set right the PGR system.

Referring to the meetings with Administration and the Bank officials today, the Chairman said in matters discussed related to compassionate appointments, effective implementation of Right to Information Act and Tsunami Rehabilitation programme necessary instructions were issued for proper implementation of these matters.

The Chairman told the newsmen here that complaints were received as people here were yet to receive Rs 2000 as Tsunami relief and urged the Administration to look into the matter.

Complaints were also received that an accident has to be opened by paying Rs 500 for en cashing the Tsunami relief at which the Committee directed the banks not to charge any amount.

The Chairman also assured to look into the suggestion made by a scribe to allow the electorate to cast his vote at any booth on the basis of his voter identity card as in the current practice, the voter is allowed to vote only if his name is found in the enumeration list.

UNI