By IANS,
Chandigarh : The Punjab government Tuesday notified the Right to Service Ordinance, 2011, which will ensure time-bound action by government departments and agencies for 67 public-centric services.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Tuesday signed the ordinance. The Right to Service is the brainchild of Badal’s son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who wanted to bring in governance reforms to make public services easier for the common people, a spokesman of the chief minister’s office said.
The ordinance notified the services, designated officers, first appellate authority, second appellate authority and the stipulated time limit for the each service rendered by the government.
“This landmark decision would save people, especially the common man, from the harassment due to inordinate delay and cumbersome procedures,” the spokesman said.
For the 67 public services listed, the stipulated time given to government agencies to complete formalities and respond to the people ranges from immediate and online to a maximum of 60 days.
In cases like giving copy of an FIR (first information report) or verification of foreigners, the agencies concerned have to do it immediately or send the reply online.
The services relate to several government departments, including revenue, health, transport, food and civil supplies, police, personnel, housing, local government and home.
The transport department now has to give registration certificate of a new vehicle and new driving licence within seven days, revenue department has to register all documents like sale deeds, general power of attorney and others within one day, copies of birth and death certificates have to be given in two days by the health department while the home department has to issue marriage certificate within two days.
Sukhbir Badal said that the Right to Service Ordinance will make it mandatory for government departments and officials to provide services to common people in a time-bound manner. He said this will check inefficiency and curb corruption.