Steps to implement Right to Service Act in Punjab

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 1  

To ensure the effective implementation of Right to Service Act and to highlight the initiatives taken by the Punjab Government in the field of e-Governance, the Punjab Right to Service Commission (PRSC) has today organized the training programme for Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Zonal Inspector Generals of Police, Commissioners of Police, Senior Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Municipal Corporation at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute for Public Administration (MAGSIPA), Sector-26, Chandigarh.

After inaugurating the workshop, Mr. S.M. Sharma, Commissioner, PRSC said that the Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011 was enacted with the sole purpose of providing time bound and hassle-free delivery of services by the various departments of the state government in order to maintain transparency and accountability at different levels of governance. He said that at present 69 services are delivered under RTS Act and on the basis of recommendations of Punjab Right to Service Commission and Punjab Governance Reforms Commission inclusion of more services is under active consideration of government.

Mr. Sharma further said that Punjab is the first state, which has constituted the Right to Service Commission after implementing the Right to Service Act, 2011. He said that the act empowers the commission to decide revision petitions against the orders of notified Second Appellate Authorities, take Suo-moto notice against the failure to deliver service in accordance with the act, inspection of concerned offices, recommendations to change the procedure for making the delivery more effectively and to recommend notification for more services to be included in the Act. He said that the Commission has recommended 51 more services to the Punjab Government for notification.

During his address, Dr. Dalbir Singh Verka, Commissioner, PRSC said that in order to create awareness in the public on the salient features of this Act, Chief Commissioner and Commissioners have visited all districts of state and had discussions with field officers and public regarding implementation of the Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011. He said that in the meetings RTS literature was also distributed. He said that for effective implementation and assessment of the act, the Commission had organized many training programmes.

He further said that the commission is monitoring the monthly MIS reports uploaded by the Deputy Commissioners and Department of Home Affairs on the Google Drive and appeals under Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011 on the Appeal Application Software prepared by TCS.

Mr. Verka said that up to the month of February, 2013 (Services including Civil+Police) 8124209 persons have availed services in various districts under Punjab Right to Service Act. He said that more Over 57 Suo-moto action cases have been initiated, 104 complaints not covered under the Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011 and have also been disposed off. 590 Appeals were filed before First Appellate Authority and 547 have been disposed off, 8 Appeals were filed before the Second Appellate Authority and 7 have been disposed off, 8 Revision petitions have been received at the Commission level, and all have been disposed off.  He said that Deputy Commissioner, Ferozpur has imposed penalty of Rupees.500/- to S.D.M and C.D.P.O. each vide order dated 07.11.2012, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot has fined Rupees.1000/- to the Tehsildar Jaito vide order dated 06.12.2012, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot has fined Rupees.500/- Steno to D.T.O. and Clerk of D.T.O. Faridkot Office vide orders dated 17.12.2012 and Penalty of Rupees. 4000/- imposed on Executive Officer, Nagar Council Fatehgarh Churian vide orders of S.D.M., Batala, dated 17.10.2012 under Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011.

          Mr. Rajneesh Malhotra, Head State e- Governance Mission Team, Department of Governance Reforms delivered lecture on the topic of Service Delivery & Monitoring System for services under Punjab to Right to Service Act. Mr. Iqbal Singh Sidhu and Mr. H.S Dhillon both commissioners were also present during the workshop.