A Public Interest Grievance Support Initiative under the Joint Supervision of LVBIZ Law Advisory Pvt. Ltd. and Nivrah Foundation

SD News Agency (Sachcha Dost News), in collaboration with LVBIZ Law Advisory Pvt. Ltd. (for legal support) and Nivrah Foundation (for public welfare initiatives), is appointing Public Grievance Officers (PGOs) across all States, Union Territories, and districts of India.

The objective of this initiative is to provide citizens with institutional support in grievance documentation, preliminary verification, departmental correspondence, Right to Information (RTI) assistance, grievance monitoring, and other public interest matters.

This initiative is not a substitute for any Government Public Grievance Redressal Authority. Instead, it is designed to function as a transparent, accountable, and collaborative bridge between citizens and public authorities.

Objective

The primary objective of this initiative is to facilitate the submission of citizens’ grievances to the appropriate government departments, monitor their progress, assist complainants through available administrative and legal procedures, and strengthen constructive communication between the public and government authorities.

Key Responsibilities of a Public Grievance Officer (PGO)

• Receive and hear public grievances.
• Register complaints in an organized manner.
• Collect and examine supporting documents.
• Conduct preliminary verification of available facts.
• Assist in preparing applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, wherever required.
• Forward complaints, representations, and correspondence to the concerned government departments.
• Ensure that grievances reach the appropriate authorities.
• Monitor the progress of registered complaints on a regular basis.
• Keep complainants informed about the status of their grievances.
• Follow up through available administrative and legal procedures until the matter reaches an appropriate conclusion.
• Highlight matters of public interest through factual news reports and public awareness campaigns.
• Promote constructive communication between citizens and government authorities.
• Maintain secure records of complaints and related documents.

What a Public Grievance Officer (PGO) Cannot Do

Neither SD News Agency nor its Public Grievance Officers shall—

• Issue directions or orders to any government officer or department.
• Pass judgments or decisions like a court of law.
• Initiate punitive or legal action against any government department.
• Exercise powers equivalent to a statutory Public Grievance Redressal Authority.
• Provide independent legal advice, practice law, or represent any person before a court or tribunal.

Positions to be Appointed

• Chief Public Grievance Officer
• State Public Grievance Officer
• District Public Grievance Coordinator

Operational Process

Citizen submits grievance

⬇

Complaint received by Public Grievance Officer

⬇

Registration of complaint and document review

⬇

Preliminary verification of facts

⬇

Forwarding the complaint to the concerned department

⬇

Departmental correspondence and RTI assistance (where required)

⬇

Regular follow-up and grievance monitoring

⬇

Updating the complainant on progress

⬇

Publication of factual public-interest reports, where appropriate

Grievance Registration Fee

₹1,000 (Rupees One Thousand Only)

This fee is charged solely for administrative services, including—

• Complaint registration
• Document verification
• Departmental correspondence
• RTI assistance
• Complaint monitoring
• Follow-up
• Record maintenance

Important Declaration

The registration fee is strictly an administrative charge and does not guarantee the resolution of any grievance or any specific outcome.

Grievance Monitoring

The Media Public Grievance Cell shall monitor the grievance through available administrative and legal procedures until an appropriate outcome is reached and shall keep the complainant informed of all significant developments.

RTI Assistance and Departmental Correspondence

Where necessary—

• Assistance shall be provided in preparing RTI applications.
• Representations and official communications shall be sent to the concerned departments.
• Responses received from government authorities shall be analyzed.
• Factual reports may be published in the larger public interest, wherever appropriate.

Written Consent of the Complainant

The complainant shall provide written consent regarding—

• The authenticity of the information submitted.
• Authorization for representation before concerned government departments.
• Permission for RTI applications and official correspondence.
• Permission for the use of relevant documents.
• Separate consent, where required, for publication of factual news reports.
• Authorization to coordinate with legal counsel, if necessary.
• Acceptance of confidentiality and data usage policies.

Role of SD News Agency

SD News Agency (Sachcha Dost News) shall—

• Receive grievances.
• Register complaints.
• Collect and examine supporting documents.
• Provide RTI-related assistance.
• Carry out departmental correspondence.
• Monitor the progress of grievances.
• Publish factual reports in the public interest where appropriate.
• Refer the matter, with the complainant’s written consent, to an independent legal consulting company whenever legal proceedings become necessary.

Role of LVBIZ Law Advisory Pvt. Ltd.

Where legal proceedings are required, the company may—

• Conduct legal evaluation of the matter.
• Provide legal opinions.
• Facilitate access to independent and duly licensed advocates.
• Arrange legal representation before courts or other competent authorities.
• Keep the complainant informed regarding the progress of the legal proceedings.

Role of the Advocate

• The advocate shall perform all professional duties independently.
• The advocate shall remain directly accountable to the client.
• The advocate alone shall represent the client before courts or legal forums.
• Legal advice shall be provided exclusively by the advocate.
• The Vakalatnama (Power of Attorney for legal representation) shall be executed directly between the advocate and the client.
• Professional fees and legal obligations shall remain exclusively between the advocate and the client.

Important Legal Declaration

Neither SD News Agency nor any of its officers or Public Grievance Officers shall—

• Provide legal advice.
• Appear before any court on behalf of complainants.
• Act as advocates.
• Represent complainants before any judicial or quasi-judicial authority.

Where legal proceedings become necessary, the matter may, with the complainant’s written consent, be referred to an independent legal consulting company for further assistance.

Neutrality and Code of Ethics

SD News Agency (Sachcha Dost News) is an independent media organization and does not support or oppose any political party, government, or opposition.

Our sole objective is to—

• Examine complaints and supporting documents impartially.
• Forward grievances to the appropriate government departments.
• Obtain factual information from concerned authorities.
• Monitor the progress of grievances.
• Assist complainants through lawful administrative and legal processes.
• Uphold the principles of truth, impartiality, transparency, and public interest journalism.

Zero Tolerance Policy Against Misconduct

If any Public Grievance Officer appointed by SD News Agency—

• Misleads a complainant,
• Demands money beyond the officially prescribed registration fee,
• Solicits or accepts bribes,
• Misuses his or her position,
• Commits fraud or unethical conduct,
• Misuses the name or reputation of SD News Agency,

appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken immediately.

Depending upon the available evidence, the officer may be suspended or removed from service, and SD News Agency may lodge a formal complaint with the appropriate police authorities for legal action in accordance with applicable laws.

Organizational Structure

SD News Agency (Sachcha Dost News)

⬇

Public Grievance Officer (PGO)

⬇

Complaint Registration & Documentation

⬇

Departmental Correspondence & Monitoring

⬇

Where Required: LVBIZ Law Advisory Pvt. Ltd.

⬇

Independent Licensed Advocate

⬇

Court of Law / Competent Authority

Conclusion

This initiative is not a statutory Government Grievance Redressal Authority. It is a transparent, accountable, and legally compliant public assistance mechanism established to help citizens document grievances, coordinate with government departments, obtain RTI-related assistance, monitor grievance progress, and, where necessary, access independent legal support.

The initiative aims to strengthen public participation, enhance transparency, promote responsible public-interest journalism, and build constructive communication between citizens and government institutions.