Faulty Punjab Police complaint portal leaves citizens running from pillar to post; CM urged to intervene
Dilbag Singh
Faulty Punjab Police complaint portal leaves citizens running from pillar to post; CM urged to intervene
NURMAHAL/NAKODAR 19 JUNE
The recently launched Punjab Police PGD online complaint portal, intended to facilitate registration of public grievances, has allegedly become a source of inconvenience for citizens due to recurring technical problems.
According to reports received from various parts of the state, police stations have been discouraging or refusing acceptance of complaints by hand and directing complainants to register their grievances only through the online portal. However, the portal is reportedly plagued by technical glitches, failed submissions and non-generation of acknowledgment numbers, leaving complainants helpless.
Citizens, including senior citizens, women and residents of rural areas, are allegedly running from pillar to post to get their complaints registered. Social activists and legal experts have expressed concern that denial of physical receipt of complaints merely because an online system exists may adversely affect access to justice.
Journalist and social activist Dilbag Singh has written to the Chief Minister, Punjab, seeking immediate intervention. He has demanded a technical audit of the portal and issuance of directions to all police stations to continue accepting written complaints until the online system becomes fully functional. He stated that while digitisation of public
services is welcome, citizens should not be denied their right to lodge complaints due to technological failures. He urged the government to ensure that technology serves the people and does not become an obstacle in the delivery of justice.
