New bill to penalise officials for delay in providing

Calling existing 'Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services Act' an "eyewash", Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today introduced a new bill to amend it which will hold officials liable to pay penalty for delay in providing services included in the citizens' charter.
Sisodia, who tabled the Bill in the Assembly here, said that previous government had passed 'Right to Time Bound Delivery of Services Act' in 2011 but this did not yield proper results to the citizens.
The Government intends to change the current system through amendments in Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services Act.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the new amendments will make the 'citizen services' to the poorest of the poor as a matter of 'Right' to get timely services.

"The Government wants to change the design of the system where 'competent officer' will be designated in all Government, local body and public authority offices. He will pay compensation to the citizen 'automatically' for delayed services beyond the prescribed period," he said, adding that the citizen need not apply for claiming the compensation.
He also said that the previous act only had provisions for meagre compensation of Rs 20 per day and a maximum of Rs 200 for all kinds of delayed services, whereas in the amendment it is proposed to have higher and different compensation amount for different services.

"The competent officer has to pay the citizen within the time period prescribed and also ensure that the amount is deducted from the officer who was responsible for the delay. Hence, there is no financial outgo to the Government.

"Only the minister concerned can waive off the deduction from the officers in exceptional circumstances...Heads of departments will be given 30 days to formulate penalties under the new system," he said.
Sisodia said that government has also decided to reward well performing staff by creating a service performance award and a handsome reward will be given to Government staff who provide citizen services consistently on time.

He said the government feels that this step will enhance the morale of well performing Government officers.
These amendments will also act as a catalyst to convert the services to electronic mode and the Government is committed to make it a reality at the earliest, he added.