CRPF plans high-tech 'App' for grievance redressal

By Mayank Singh New Delhi [India], Jan. 24 (ANI): In a first, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is working on making an 'app' dedicated to matters related to grievances within its massive force. This proactive step is aimed at addressing the grievances within its rank and file. A CRPF officer told ANI that Director General K. Durga Prasad proposed to develop an App-based platform dedicated to issues related to grievances of the troops deployed across the country. One of the officers said, "This step is to centralize the redressal and monitoring by the Force Head Quarter in Delhi. Once this App is developed, a jawan can log in with his unique service number and can write his grievances. The best thing is that the particular jawan, his senior office and the Force Head Quarter (FHQ) will be able to see this." This App is expected to bring transparency and a better monitoring. In an endeavor to ensure that the grievances of its troops are addressed at the earliest, the matter will first be taken up by the immediate headquarter and the Force Headquarter will intervene only in case of any further delay. However, the officers involved in this process are of the view that there would be some problems initially. "Initially, there will be a barrage of problems which may contain even trivial issues. Also, there will be cases of matters directed to settle scores against each other and also between the officers and men. But it is a step, which will gradually lead to a better mechanism of grievance redressal," said the officer. Few mechanisms are already in place to address the grievances but this App-based platform aimed at addressing grievances will be the first of its kind. The already existing means of grievances redressal are through a dedicated intranet of CRPF called as the 'Selo' on which one can write his/her grievances. Sainik sammelans are also held in units and a grievance box exists, which is monitored weekly by the Company Commanders. The CRPF, having a force of more than 3,00,000 personnel with an officer cadre of 4,300, is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the internal security of the country. This paramilitary force, which is deployed in counter militancy, counter insurgency duties and deals with Left Wing Extremism (LWE), also handles the security of VIPs and vital installation besides helping in controlling riots and taking stock of security during the elections. (ANI)