Pune: The state registration and stamps department is rolling out a monthly grievance redressal mechanism as part of corrective measures following the Mundhwa land scam, allowing citizens to take registration-related complaints directly to senior officials, department officials said on Wednesday.Joint district registrar offices across the state will hold a “grievance redressal day” on the first Monday of every month. Complaints will be heard in the presence of the complainant and the office head, with officials directed to resolve them immediately or within seven days and communicate the outcome in writing. Deputy IGR Rajendra Muthe said the aim was to resolve complaints “on time, transparently and effectively” and make the department’s services faster and more citizen-friendly.Muthe had prepared a detailed report on corrective measures following the Mundhwa land scam. As part of the measures, all complaints will be entered in a separate register. Deputy inspectors general will submit monthly reports to Inspector General of Registration (IGR) by the fifth of every month, detailing complaints received, action taken and cases disposed of.IGR Ravindra Binwade has directed all joint district registrar offices to conduct the monthly hearings and even ensure citizens are aware of these hearings. Joint district registrar offices have also been directed to widely publicise the grievance redressal initiative.The move has been welcomed as a step towards making grievance redressal more accessible, though citizens and stakeholders said its effectiveness would depend on how consistently it was implemented on the ground. “The initiative is useful, but it should not remain only on paper. Complaints need to be heard seriously and decisions taken within the stipulated timeframe,” activist S Joshi said.Another source said the mechanism could reduce repeated visits to senior offices if local officials were given the responsibility and accountability to resolve complaints. “The real test will be whether complainants actually get a written response and timely resolution,” the source said.Officials said the mechanism is intended to reduce repeated visits by citizens and prevent complaints from remaining pending or being unnecessarily escalated to district, divisional or IGR office.
