Sakala: Govt to issue 15-digit code to curb touts

To curtail the middlemen menace, the State government on Monday decided to issue a 15-digit number as an acknowledgement to all those who file applications under Sakala, the Right to Services Act, in the State.

Disclosing this to reporters, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said the applicants have to furnish the number to avail the service under the Act, which envisages the timely delivery of services to citizens.

The government introduced the 15-digit number following complaints that middlemen had been misusing provisions of the Act in some places.

It was learnt that middlemen were misleading gullible citizens and submitting applications on their behalf.

“There is no need for taking anybody’s help under Sakala. Middlemen are misleading people saying that they can get the work done quickly. Hence, 15-digit numbers have been introduced,” the minister explained.

Besides, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has decided to set up vigilance squads to keep a tab on middlemen.

The squads will conduct surprise inspections of the government offices wherever Sakala services are being provided.

Nodal officer

The minister said the government has decided to appoint nodal officers in all districts to ensure the proper coordination and the early disposal of litigations related to the government.

As many as 49,300 litigations are pending in various courts, excluding those in the High Court, related to the government.

Due to the lack of proper coordination between advocates representing the cases and officials, there have been delays in getting them cleared.

“In many cases, the government has lost its case even though its has had all the evidence required to win them. Consequently, it has been decided to appoint nodal officers,” Kumar explained.