Tamil Nadu DGP orders 'Public Grievance Day' twice a week for faster redressal of complaints
Chennai, June 24
In a significant step to ensure effective redressal and enhance public access to policing services, the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police and Head of Police Force has ordered that every Wednesday and Saturday between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm shall be observed as "Public Grievance Day" across the State.
According to an official press note issued by the Office of the Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal on June 23, the initiative has been introduced "to ensure effective redressal of public grievances and enhance public accessibility to the Police," in view of the large number of complaints being received at police stations on a daily basis, including cases of money cheating, financial frauds, exorbitant interest demands, hurt cases, life-threatening complaints, minor quarrels, family disputes, accidents, cyber crimes, online frauds, and other grievances.
As per the directive, all senior police officers, including Commissioners of Police in cities, Inspector Generals of Police in zones, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police in ranges, Superintendents of Police in districts, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of Police in cities, Sub Divisional Officers in districts, and Station House Officers at respective police stations, will personally receive petitions from members of the public on the designated days at their offices and interact with petitioners to address their grievances.
The press note further stated that officers will "examine the grievances presented, and issue necessary directions to the concerned officers for appropriate legal action and further follow-up," and that an acknowledgement will be issued for every petition received.
It added that concerned officers have been instructed to ensure "prompt action" and dispose of petitions "as far as possible within 15 days according to law."
The directive also emphasised citizen-friendly handling of complainants, stating that the public must be treated with "due respect," offered seating immediately, received in a cordial manner, and provided basic facilities such as seating arrangements and drinking water.
It further added that in cases where any Unit Head or supervisory officer is unable to attend due to official engagements or unavoidable reasons, the next senior officer in the hierarchy will attend the grievance session, receive petitions, interact with petitioners, and ensure follow-up action "without fail."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good idea but I have a small concern. Two hours per week, twice a week is okay, but 15 days limit is too long for urgent matters like life threats or domestic abuse. They should have a separate fast-track counter for emergency grievances. Otherwise, this is a positive change. At least sitting arrangements and drinking water ka mention hai - pehle toh woh bhi nahi tha.
This is exactly what we need across India. In Bangalore, we deal with endless cyber fraud cases and getting police attention is like climbing a mountain. If TN can implement this successfully, other states should follow. Accountability and transparency in policing - that's the real takeaway here.
Finally some common sense! Jinke paas complaints hain unki har roz police station jake pagal nahi hona padega. Fixed timings and senior officers personally handling petitions - much better than chhota clerk se pehle milna. Bas ab implement bhi hojaye ground level pe, kyunki kagaj par sb kuch acha lagta hai.
Nice to see TN taking proactive steps. But I hope they are not just doing this for record purposes. In many states, such 'public days' become photo-ops and complaints end up gathering dust. Accountability should be real - online tracking of complaint status would have been great addition!
Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal sir ne sahi kiya. As a Chennai resident, I've seen how domestic violence and land dispute complaints get lost in files. Direct interaction with SPs and DIGs
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