JOIN USCitizens' charter law okayed
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet that the proposed bill—the Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens bill, 2011— will ensure that the select services are provided to citizens within the stipulated time.
The bill that includes as many as 90 services by 10 key departments and urban local bodies will be sent to the governor and he will be requested to promulgate an ordinance to the effect, Suresh Kumar said.
The bill lays down the time frame for delivery of each service. For instance, it has stipulated that the Transport Department has to issue learner’s licence for driving motor vehicles within seven working days of the application being received by the designated officer (either ARTO or RTO). If the designated officer finds that the service cannot be provided, she/he should record the reasons in writing and inform the applicant. If the officer fails to deliver the service within the stipulated time, she/he will be liable to compensate the applicant at the rate of Rs 20 a day.
Moreover, an enquiry will be initiated against the erring officer and within 15 days after the completion of the enquiry, a show-cause notice will be issued seeking why the compensation cost paid to the aggrieved applicant should not be recovered from her/him.
The officer, on his part, will have an opportunity to file an appeal against it.
Disciplinary action
In case of an officer failing to deliver services within the time frame 25 times in a year, the competent authority will take disciplinary action considering her/him as a “habitual defaulter,” the minister said.
“The aim is to weed out corruption, bring in transparency and deliver services in a time-bound manner to people. The proposed legislation is a weapon in the hands of citizens to get the services delivered,” Suresh Kumar explained.
At the same time, the bill has a provision to reward efficient officers. Cash incentive will be given to officers who provide the services without any default in a year.
Urban Development, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Food and Civil Supplies, Women and Child Development, Transport, Education, Health and Family Welfare, Revenue, Energy and Finance departments have been brought under the ambit of the bill.