Patna, Jan. 20: For those waiting for police action to get their work done faster, here is some good news.

The Patna police have formed the Public Complaints Cell in which complainants would be given a stipulated date of completion of the work, be it job-related, procurement of passport, a police probe, et al.

Any person coming to the cell, which is presently lodged at the Kotwali police station, would be given in writing about the date when he/she can come and check the developments with regard to their issues.

If a particular work has not been completed within the stipulated time, the police will give a detailed explanation about the hiccups involved, if any, in dealing with the case, to the complainant.

Patna City superintendent of police Manu Maharaj inaugurated the cell today.

“Similar cells would be coming up at Buddha Colony, Patliputra and the Digha police stations soon,” Maharaj said. The cell would be lodging FIR’s too.

He added: “If a person comes to the cell stating that the verification for a passport has not been done by the police even after submission of the form for a long time. An official, who has been deputed in the cell, would take the application and give one to the complainant with the receiving stamp and signature on it. In the receiving application, the police would write a date as to when the complainant could come and get an update. The date slated can go up to 15 days,”

The city SP said: “During this time, the cell would find out where the matter has been stuck and also try and complete it within the date given to the complainant. If the complainant is not satisfied, the police would inform the complainant about the hiccups involved and by when it is expected to finish.”

The officer said this would ensure a new lease of faith in the police force.

“Since a date would be given to the complainant knowing when to approach the police for redressal, they would know that the police are taking action. And the cops will have to work sincerely to complete the work on time. The cell at the Kotwali police station would be confined to the area at present. The police are opening similar cells in other areas soon. Most of the police stations in Patna willhave these cells which willbe continuously monitored,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, the police formally inaugurated the “May I Help You” centre at the Patna Junction today.

The police had already come out with the “May I Help You” cards, which are being distributed to the passengers coming out of the railway station after sunset.

The card has the cell phone numbers of the senior superintendent of police, City SP, deputy superintendent of police (law and order), station house officers.

The kiosk is manned by one officer and two constables and is open from 9pm till 6am.