JOIN USGovernment officials may face prosecution and will have to pay penalty up to Rs 50,000 for failing to deliver services like issue of passports, birth and death certificates and payment of pensions to citizens when a draft bill cleared by Cabinet on Thursday becomes a law.
Though many states have already enacted such a legislation, the Centre has kick-started the process now. The Opposition BJP, while welcoming the government move, voiced reservations that it might be thrust on the states.
Under the bill titled, “The Right of Citizens for Time-Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011,” there is a provision to include NRIs under its purview, which will now be referred to ministries of personnel and public grievances and law.
The bill requires every public authority to publish citizen’s charter, mentioning the services offered and the corresponding time in which it would be delivered. The bill envisages a grievance redressal mechanism to address non-compliance of provisions.
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters that the bill should be enacted for only central services but it was sought to be imposed on the states as well, which is an encroachment of their turf. Some eight states, including Karnataka, already have a similar law.
If the proposed legislation is enacted, the UPA government will also have to establish an architecture of delivery system, including call centres, customer care centres, help desks and people’s support system.
Perform or perish
-Bill to ensure time-bound delivery of passport, pension, birth and death certificates
-Babus delaying services to pay penalty of up to Rs 50,000
-Bill wants authorities to publish citizen’s charter, detailing services and time for delivery
- BJP slams bill, says it’s an intrusion in domain of states