Chennai: Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF) Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, an IPS officer of 1994 batch, has announced a new initiative aimed at ensuring quicker and more effective resolution of public grievances, while simultaneously calling upon the state’s youth to become ambassadors of a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at a two-day symposium organised on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse at Guru Nanak College, Chennai, Aggarwal unveiled the “Open Grievance Day” initiative and emphasised the need for collective efforts to combat the growing menace of drug abuse among young people.
More than 700 college students participated in the programme and took an oath against the use of narcotic substances.
Open Grievance Day to Be Held Twice Every Week
To strengthen public access to the police administration, the DGP has directed all police officers across Tamil Nadu to conduct ‘Open Grievance Day’ every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The initiative has been introduced to ensure speedy and effective redressal of grievances raised by members of the public.
Under the new arrangement, officers at multiple levels of the police hierarchy will remain available during the designated hours to personally hear complaints and resolve issues.
Officers Directed to Remain Available for Public
According to the instructions issued by the Police Headquarters, officers of the following ranks must remain available in their offices during the grievance redressal period:
- Station House Officers (SHOs)
- Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs)
- Superintendents of Police (SPs)
- Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIGs)
- Inspector Generals of Police (IGs)
- Commissioners of Police in city police commissionerates
The officers will directly interact with members of the public approaching them with grievances and complaints.
Time-Bound and Courteous Redressal
Aggarwal said police personnel have been specifically instructed to ensure courteous treatment of complainants and provide prompt, time-bound redressal of grievances.
The objective is to eliminate unnecessary delays and make senior officers more accessible to citizens.
He noted that police officers often remain occupied with investigations, court appearances, official meetings and law-and-order duties, making it difficult for members of the public to meet them at short notice.
The dedicated grievance hours are expected to address this challenge and provide citizens with a predictable and convenient window to approach police authorities.
Alternative Arrangements During Emergencies
The DGP clarified that officers should make every effort to be personally present during the designated grievance hours.
However, in cases of emergencies or unavoidable official commitments, they have been instructed to nominate the next officer in command to attend to public grievances.
This is intended to ensure that citizens do not face inconvenience and that the grievance redressal mechanism remains uninterrupted.
Police Headquarters to Monitor Performance
Aggarwal further stated that the performance of officers in conducting grievance meetings and resolving complaints will be monitored by the Police Headquarters.
The monitoring mechanism is expected to ensure accountability and improve the effectiveness of the initiative across the state.
Officials believe the programme will strengthen public confidence in policing and enhance transparency in police-public interactions.
DGP Calls Youth the Nation’s Precious Wealth
During his address at the anti-drug symposium, Aggarwal described students as the “precious wealth of the country” and urged them to stay away from narcotic substances such as ganja and synthetic drugs.
He cautioned that many of these drugs are trafficked into Tamil Nadu from other parts of the country and pose a serious threat to the future of young people.
The DGP stressed that students must actively contribute to creating a drug-free society and become brand ambassadors of the anti-drug movement.
Youth Vulnerable to Drugs and Social Media Addiction
Highlighting the pressures faced by modern-day students, Aggarwal observed that youngsters often struggle with examination stress, social expectations and peer influence.
He remarked that many young people today are increasingly vulnerable to two forms of addiction — drugs and social media.
According to him, unscrupulous groups seeking financial gains often attempt to glamorize drug consumption and portray it as fashionable or socially acceptable.
Warning Against the Drug Trap
Aggarwal warned students against falling into what he described as a dangerous trap.
He noted that many young people unknowingly begin experimenting with drugs due to peer pressure or misleading influences and later face serious personal, academic, health and legal consequences.
The DGP urged students to reject such influences firmly and adopt the slogan:
“I don’t need it and we don’t need it.”
According to him, this simple message can help young people resist pressure and make responsible choices.
Drug Menace a Threat to Development
The DGP also linked the issue of substance abuse to Tamil Nadu’s long-term development.
While acknowledging the state’s achievements in education, industrialisation and economic progress, he cautioned that increasing drug use among youth could undermine these gains.
He said the growing drug menace raises concerns about the future quality of human resources and economic growth if not addressed effectively.
More Than 700 Students Take Anti-Drug Oath
A major highlight of the event was the participation of over 700 students, who collectively took an oath pledging not to use drugs and to spread awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
The pledge formed part of Tamil Nadu Police’s ongoing efforts to involve educational institutions and young citizens in the fight against narcotics.
Additional DGP K. Shankar Also Addresses Gathering
The symposium also featured an address by K. Shankar, Additional Director General of Police, Enforcement Bureau-CID, who spoke about the importance of awareness, vigilance and community participation in preventing drug abuse.
The event reinforced the Tamil Nadu Police’s twin focus on strengthening citizen-centric policing through initiatives like Open Grievance Day while simultaneously intensifying efforts to combat drug abuse among the youth.
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