Pursuant to the provisions contained in Section 28 of the Punjab office of the Ombudsman Act 1997, I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the working of this office for the year 2002. The mandate of this Office comprising protection of the rights of people, ensuring adherence to the rule of law, redressing and rectifying injustice done to a person through mal- administration, suppressing corrupt practices is provided in the preamble of the Act referred. Powers vested in this office have been exercised through quasi- judicial process to redress grievances of people brought to the notice of this office through complaints or by taking Suo Moto cognizance. This report provides an over-view of the performance of this office, identification of ailments in the governance and recommendations to improve the working of different Government agencies.
The entire Government machinery is under obligation to protect rights of persons granted in the constitution and ensure that through misuse/abuse of administrative powers none is deprived of what is due to him under the laws/rules. People aggrieved from commission/omission of the Government functionaries many a times find it difficult and cumbersome to initiate process of law which also otherwise is time consuming and expensive. History is witness to the fact that civilizations declined where justice was denied. The office of the Ombudsman serves as a forum for inexpensive and speedy redressal of grievances according to the provisions of the Act and relevant laws. Complaints received are investigated by the Investigating Officers in collaboration with the concerned departments and the complainants, and basing upon the facts of the case and relevant provisions of rules/laws directions are passed to the Departments for
This public document attains importance from the fact that it is circulated widely to all Administrative Secretaries of the Province, Heads of the Attached Departments, Autonomous/Semi Autonomous Bodies and the press. It is expected that the report will be read by them and will serve as a pointer to ascertain weak areas leading to mal-administration affecting adversely rights of the employees and pubic at large. Recommendations specific to the Departments and general in nature though not exhaustive yet provide some insight for taking appropriate actions to streamline procedures to avoid recurrence of incidences amounting to denial of due rights or causing loss to the individuals or group of persons. Recommendations if institutionalized will serve a long way in resolving the problems of the public reducing number of complaints. It is expected from the free press that they will provide independent and well-considered feedback aimed at further improving the performance of this office.
The Provincial Ombudsman Punjab is a member of International Ombudsman Institute. Copies of the Report are also sent to the members of the International Ombudsman Institute. At the international forum of Ombudsman, views are exchanged which provide opportunity of learning for the protection of human rights. It projects efforts of our society in redressing wrongs committed against the human rights.
As regards the principle and concept of providing justice to citizens without fear or favour, these have been enshrined in all statues, edicts, proclamations, policy documents of States and Societies since times immemorial. Justice at the door step has been a cherished dream of all Governments. In an environment of a weak system, partially or wholly politicized, institutions responsible for providing relief to the aggrieved and the oppressed also suffer. It is in this situation that the institution of Ombudsman beacons and comes to the rescue of the common man.
