Missing grills: RTI activist approaches court

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Amritsar, February 24

Perturbed over alleged inaction by the city police and Amritsar Municipal Corporation authorities, noted RTI activist has filed a complaint in a local court alleging that both authorities have failed to perform their duties. The complaint filed in the court sought an inquiry and registration of an FIR.

“The court has registered a complaint and initiated the proceedings and scheduled the next hearing for March 16,” said RTI activist Parbodh Chander Bali.

He had sought information regarding the iron grills fixed on roadsides and along the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) lanes which were uprooted/stolen from many places.

The Punjab Government had inaugurated the ambitious BRTS project worth Rs 545 crore in January 2019 with an aim to decongest city roads and provide a good, cheap and safe public transport system. The purpose of heavy and costly iron grills alongside the BRTS lanes on roads and beneath overpasses was to ensure safety of commuters, besides earmarking vacant land for establishing green belt. Nevertheless, a large number of iron grills went missing or were stolen by unscrupulous elements while green belts were uprooted giving a

shabby look to areas. These green belts were encroached upon or being used for parking vehicles.

“Despite best efforts, MC officials failed to provide any clarity on the reason behind the missing grills. Even the civic body authorities also failed to lodge any complaint with the police in this connection. As per law, MC officials should have maintained a complete record about the loss, theft or damage to the articles and in case of theft it should have been reported to police for filing a complaint,” Bali pointed out.

Finding no response from the MC, Bali later filed a complaint with the police last month and the police recorded his statement on February 5 seeking a probe into missing grills. However, the police also failed to take cognizance and appropriate action in this regard.

“Civic body officials and cops have failed to perform their duties diligently, causing a loss to the government exchequer. Moreover, there is no effort to recover or avoid future loss,” he added.