PK Tripathi, PGC chairperson, said he is "overloaded" with complaints

The Delhi government’s main complaints redressal body - the Public Grievances Commission (PGC) - is now toothless.

Two of its four members, both part-time, selected from the field of social work and appointed through notification from the Lieutenant Governor himself, have retired.

Dinesh K Gupta was relieved from duty before the completion of his tenure about a year back, while Nisha Samuel exited office in May.

Sources say the procedure for appointment of only one part-time member to replace Gupta has been initiated, while the post for a second part-time member may take more time to fill.

The PGC has four members. The number of people harassed by different authorities in Delhi who are queuing up at the PGC, meanwhile, is rising by the day. They are being given dates for hearings three to four months later due to a lack of staff to attend to them.

Meanwhile, the Aam Admi Party-led Delhi government that prides itself on its janata darbars is sitting on these crucial appointments.

In the exercise of its functions, the PGC has the same measure of autonomy and independence as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It consists of four members – the Chairman, a whole-time member and two part-time members.

The part-time members, drawn from a social work background, shoulder the maximum number of complaints – up to 50 in a day.

The Public Grievance Commission’s website says it handled 6,829 complaints in 2011-2012 – the last year for which they have made figures available.

The two retired officials, Dinesh Gupta and Nisha Samuel, dealt with complaints regarding the three MCDs, NDMC, Delhi Urban Development Board, Education department, Women and Child Welfare Department, Labour Department, pension and verification departments, DSIDC, DSSB etc.

The Public Grievance Commission hears grievances against the Delhi Police as well.

A senior government official said on the condition of anonymity: “The PGC is the eyes and ears of the Delhi government. Though every department has a separate grievance cell, often they are found lax or favouring their own officials. This makes the PGC an important body for public welfare.”

PGC members at a past meeting. The committee is currently just half the size it should be.

Unaware

“It is sad that the commission is being managed in such a careless manner,” he added.

“It is not well publicised. Few know about its existence, and now even member counselors are not being appointed. If the PGC functions well, there would be no need for people to go to courts for small matters. Also, there will be no need for these publicity events like janata darbaars.”

Vinod Jain, who was turned away from the PGC after being told that it is short staffed, told Mail Today: “My mother was a teacher in a government school in east Delhi. She has not received her retirement benefits despite repeated reminders to the Education Department. And now, I have not got a hearing at the PGC either.”

Poornima Sharma, who was also turned away by the PGC, said: “The public plot adjacent to my house has been encroached by some powerful persons in the area. They have been creating nuisance. Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials are not taking my complaint seriously.”

When contacted on this issue, Public Greivance Commission chairperson PK Tripathi said: “I have already written to the Delhi government on the vacant posts. Full-time member SK Jain and I are overloaded with complaints that would have been otherwise routed to part-time members. However, we are hopeful that the appointments will be made soon.”