PREAMBLE

As enshrined in the Preamble to the Constitution of India, "equality of status and opportunity" must be secured for all citizens; equality of every person under the law is guaranteed by Article 14 of the constitution. Indeed, the Constitutional doctrine of quality and personal liberty is contained in Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. These articles ensure a person's right to equal protection under the law, to live a life free from discrimination on any ground and to the defence of life and personal liberty.

In view of the above, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospitals affiliated with University BIHER (Bharath Institution of higher Education and Research) have constituted a Students Grievance Redressal Committee. Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospitals have committed to providing a congenial and conducive atmosphere in which students, teachers, and non-teaching staff can work together in an environment free of violence, harassment, exploitation, and intimidation. Every member is expected to be aware of the commitment to the right to freedom of expression and association.

The students frequently encounter circumstances in which they are lost and unable to comprehend how to handle issues they are presented with. Problems, challenges, and complaints relating to academic and non-academic issues can fall under this category. In such circumstances, students need a support structure, a figure of authority to whom they may present their issues and who can offer the proper direction and provide timely assistance. This is necessary to quickly address complaints and give the hurt pupils the support they need. Students Grievance Redressal Committee of Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital has been reconstituted to address the complaints and grievances of the students.

OBJECTIVES OF STUDENTS GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL COMMITTEE:

• To ensure a harmonious academic atmosphere in the college by promoting cordial relationship between the Student-Student and Student-teacher so as to uphold the dignity of the College.
• To provide responsive, accountable and easily accessible committee that would undertake measures to ensure expeditious settlement of grievances of Students in order to maintain educational atmosphere in the institute.
• To deal with the complex situations of the students in a diplomatic manner as to lessen the condition felt to be oppressive or dissatisfied.
• To encourage the students to express their grievances / problems freely and frankly, without any fear of being victimized.
• To advise the students to respect the right and dignity of one another and show utmost restraint and patience whenever any occasion of rift arises.
• To advise the students to refrain from those students who are inciting against other Students, teachers and College administration.
• To advise all the staffs to be affectionate to the Students and not behave in a vindictive manner towards any of them for any reason.
• To support, those students who have been deprived of the services offered by the College, for which he/she is entitled.
• To make officials of the College responsive, accountable and courteous in dealing with the students.
• To ensure effective solution to the student’s grievances with an impartial and fair approach.

SCOPE OF THE GRIEVANCES:

Any of the following issues may be the subject of a complaint: 

• Academic Matters - Concerns about evaluation, attendance, grades, and other exam-related issues, etc. Financial Matters - Concerns about the charging of fees, scholarships, and payments
• Administration Concerns: Problems with the infrastructure, amenities, hygienic conditions, transportation, or victimization
• Student Code of Conduct Issues - Bullying and Harassment by Other Students or Teachers, etc.

FACILITIES FOR FILING GRIEVANCES:

Anyone with a valid complaint may submit it to SGRC along with the required supporting documentation. The complaint must be filed using one of the following methods:

• Any Student may produce his / her grievances in person to the Students Grievance Redressal Committee.
• The students may submit their grievances through e-mail at- studentgrievances@sbdch.ac.in 
• Students shall also submit their grievance through online portal                https://tinyurl.com/3cc357ua 
• The Grievance Cell will assure that the grievance has been properly solved within the stipulated time limit provided by the committee with strict confidentiality.
• Hostellers should report hostel complaints either through a complaint note or directly to the hostel.

MEETINGS AND REPORTING:

• All grievances referred to the Students Grievance Redressal committee shall be brought to the notice of the member secretary of Grievance Redressal Committee. 
• The grievances reported and the number of grievances addressed and the pending grievances shall be reported to the Chairman (Principal) of the committee on a monthly basis. 
• In case of any dire need the Students Grievance Redressal Committee shall meet on an interim basis to sort out the same.  
•  The committee formally will review all cases and will prepare statistical reports about the number of cases received. The Committee will give report to the authority about the cases attended to and the number of pending cases, if any, which require direction and guidance from the higher authorities.

COMPOSITION AND TENURE OF STUDENTS GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL COMMITTEE:

The principal shall determine the composition of the Students Grievance Redressal Committee.

• The students Grievance Redressal Committee in SBDCH shall include members from the teaching, non-teaching/ administrative and student fraternity.
• The tenure of the Students Grievance Redressal Committee will be for a period of two years.

MINOR ISSUES:

• Grievances are gathered via e-mail / online portal.
• With the committee members and the Concerned Persons, analyze the problem.
• Selecting alternative courses of action and locating the most workable resolution to a complaint.
• Report delivered to the principal.
• Putting the complaint's resolution into practice.
• Getting the impacted person's comments on the grievance resolution process.
• Periodically, a meeting is held to go over the issues that have been submitted and the success of workable solutions in resolving the complaints that have been filed. However, depending on how serious the issues are, meetings would be held right once to address them.

MAJOR ISSUES:

• After discussing the matter with the members, the Chairman of GRC shall determine the date, time, and location of the meeting following receipt of the posted grievance from the aggrieved.
• The meeting must be organized within seven days of the notification date.
• After the meeting date is set, a hard copy of the notice must be sent to the applicant (aggrieved) to be present in the meeting. 
• The aggrieved should present his or her grievances before the Committee during the meeting, and the acknowledgement for having addressed the grievance would be recorded. 
• All pertinent papers shall be circulated to all members as hard or soft copies on or before the date of the meeting. 
• When a student (applicant) is under 18, his or her natural or legal guardian (either the father or the mother) may accompany the pupil. The aggrieved and the Guardian are the only outside parties who may attend the meeting.
• The Committee members should consider the situation in light of the applicant's posted grievance and the institute's rules before making a decision. 
• The meeting's unique minutes should include a succinct summary of the facts, supporting evidence, and final recommendations provided by the Committee members.
• The Grievance Redressal Committee should distribute the minutes for signatures to all of its members.
• The applicant (who is aggrieved) should be informed in writing as soon as possible of the Grievance Redressal Committee's decision.

SCRUITINY:

The grievance redress committee will carefully examine the grievance procedure. The committee shall inform the complainant if it is pleased with the resolution offered by the relevant institute, department, office, or person.

FINAL DECISION:

The Student Grievance Redressal Committee shall make its best efforts to reach a resolution of the issues involved with the parties identified in the grievance application following the hearing or investigation. It may then pass an order outlining the grounds for such order, as may be deemed appropriate. If a student contacts the Ombudsperson in that situation, the Ombudsperson's decision will be forwarded to the Honorable Vice-Chancellor, whose decision will be binding.

CLOSURE OF COMPLAINT:

• When the grievant has expressed acceptance of the decision, the complaint is said to have been resolved and closed.
• 15 days after receiving notification of the resolution, the grievant has not reacted.