KARACHI, May 20: Sindh Ombudsman Justice (retd) Haziqul Khairi has said that during the year 2001 his secretariat took all measures under the law to redress grievances of people and build their confidence in the government’s good intentions.

“Even the misconception of most of the complainants is removed whenever the agencies are found working within the framework of the law, rule and practice,” he observed.

In the annual report, it was pointed out that the ombudsman’s institution provided monetary relief of over Rs68 million in 260 cases pertaining to release of pension and service dues, withheld bills, compensation, refund against non-allotment of plots and excess octroi and export tax charges, death compensation and in cases of rents.

In 27 cases of pension and service dues, a relief of Rs20,80,986 was provided while in 71 cases of outstanding bills, a relief of Rs3,37,87,814 was provided.

Likewise, in four cases of land compensation, a relief of Rs16,77,925 was sanctioned and in 171 cases of refund against non- allotment of plots/unlawful recoveries, a sum of Rs1,26,38,90,369 was provided as relief and in two cases of refund of octroi and export tax charged in excess, Rs8,97,380 were paid, while Rs600,000 relief was provided in six death compensation cases and in one case of rent of school building, a relief of Rs37,000 was granted.

Non-monetary relief has been provided in 302 cases. The nature of relief provided mostly pertained to provision of basic amenities, alternative plots of land, physical possession of plot/land, grant of lease of land, removal of encroachment, admissions and upgradation of educational institutions, issuance of education certificates/degrees and marks-sheets, construction/repair of roads, bridges, water courses, government quarters etc.

Other types of relief included supply of irrigation water, registration of FIRs, mutation/correction in record of rights, declaration of results, vacation of rented premises or payment of their rent, securing of jobs, issue of route permits, and release from unauthorised and illegal policy custody.

Though the Ombudsman Act does not specifically confer the right of review on the parties, the review petitions are generally entertained on the principle of equity and justice and in terms of section 114, read with order 47 civil procedure code. The aggrieved person is, however, entitled to approach the provincial governor by way of representation invoking the provisions of section 32 of the Sindh Ombudsman Act 1991.

Review petitions: Brought forward 17 while 10 petitions were received during the years 2000 and 2001. Nine petitions were decided in which relief was provided in two cases, while seven were rejected and 17 were still pending.

Liabilities: After detailed investigation, it was established that the claims of complainants amounting to Rs23,88,43,018 were still payable by various agencies, despite clearance of substantial liabilities of the previous years.

The department-wise breakdown of liabilities is as under:

Communication and works department and education works in 56 cases Rs72,57,894; irrigation and power in 35 cases Rs8,51,521; local govt department in seven cases Rs23,06,121; KDA in 11 cases Rs1,47,37,986 as on 31-12-2000 — (a) outstanding Rs1,48,53,399 while (b) refundable Rs40,000 and (c) security Rs5,70,000; S&GAD in one case Rs5,32,934.

Police department in two cases Rs13,73,534; agriculture, fisheries and livestock in four cases Rs4,51,682; public health in one case Rs5,92,342; industries Rs1,65,649; revenue in seven cases Rs19,76,142; HDA in two cases Rs35,000; finance department Rs16,080; transport Rs7,97,149 and wildlife department Rs24,75,850.

Complaints admitted: KMC 149, KWSB 92, other local 263, committees in Sindh 504, education 232, irrigation and power 51, KDA/KBCA 164, communication and works 19, housing and town planning (HDA, LDA, MDA etc) 362, home/police 191, revenue 80, labour and transport 23, industries and mineral development department 17, food and cooperation 19, health department 29, social welfare 7, agriculture and livestock 27, S&GAD 18, finance department 13, forest and fisheries 9, excise and taxation department 18, population welfare department 4, zakat and ushar 4, information department 1, planning, development and environment, culture and tourism 3.