Chandigarh Orders Weekly DC-SSP Janata Darbar!

Chandigarh : In a significant step toward transparent governance and direct public engagement, the Chandigarh administration has ordered that both the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) will now hold regular Janata Darbars three times a week. As per the latest instructions from the UT Administrator, a joint public hearing will be conducted every Friday, ensuring faster resolution of citizen grievances.

This move comes in response to growing public demand for easier access to senior officials and quicker grievance redressal. The idea behind the Janata Darbar initiative is to bring administration and law enforcement closer to the people. Citizens often face delays and confusion while navigating government departments. By offering a structured and consistent forum to voice their concerns, the administration aims to rebuild trust and streamline public services.

According to sources, the Janata Darbar will be held on three specific days each week, with the DC and SSP available in their respective offices to listen to people’s issues. On Fridays, a joint hearing will take place where both officials will sit together to address complaints involving coordination between civil administration and police — such as property disputes, encroachments, local crime, or public nuisance.

The administrator has instructed all departments to support this initiative fully and maintain detailed records of each hearing, including the nature of complaints, action taken, and time taken to resolve issues. These records will be monitored to ensure accountability and performance evaluation of departments.

Public response to the announcement has been largely positive. Local residents believe that the presence of high-ranking officers during such hearings will ensure that their voices are truly heard. It is also expected to put pressure on lower-level officials to act promptly, knowing that unresolved cases could reach the top officers directly.

The Janata Darbar system is not new to Indian administration, but Chandigarh’s model of a fixed weekly joint hearing is being seen as a progressive and structured step. If implemented effectively, this system could become a blueprint for other Union Territories and states.

All eyes are now on the administration to see how consistently the hearings are held and whether the promised transparency and responsiveness actually reach the ground level.