Journalist demands tribunal for redressal of public complaints

Shimla, May 10 (UNI) A senior journalist and founder president of World Peace Forum today demanded the setting up of a tribunal to lodge complaints against government officials who fail in redressing the complaints of the public.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr Bishamber Lal Sud said the tribunal was necessary as there was no alternate remedy to the aggrieved person to lodge his complaint or seek damages for the losses suffered by him.

Mr Sud said the tribunal besides redressing the complaints would should also have the powers to award compensation against the government officials besides fixing their responsibility for delaying or not carrying out their duties.

Observing that Human Rights Commission, Lokayukta and all other constitutional bodies have failed in giving justice to the poor, he said since ''justice delayed was justice denied'', the government should take a policy decision on this soon.

The journalist said during his numerous visits to villages in northern part of the country he has realised that the people were not satisfied with the existing set up and thus the need for the setting up of the tribunal.

The government should also take effective and immediate steps to fix responsibility of each and every person in the carrying out of their functions, he added.

UNI