A step towards redress Back Due to disruptions in the 15th term of the Lok Sabha (2009–2014), the pending Public Services Grievances Bill could not be passed even though it had the support of all major political parties. Officially known as the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011, this Bill is significant because it gives citizens the right to complain about any government services that are not delivered to them. Below are the salient features of the Bill and the ways in which it empowers people to complain against corrupt government officials and demand accountability from public institutions. Every public authority must publish a citizens’ charter. A public authority is defined as: a self-governing institution set up under the Constitution or by state or central law a government company an NGO substantially financed (directly or indirectly) by the government or a company that provides goods or services as imposed by the Bill. A citizens’ charter lists: the goods and services provided by a public authority. the name of the person or agency responsible for providing them. the time frame within which they will be provided. the category of people entitled to these goods and services. the weight and size of the goods and services available to the public. the details of the complaint redressal mechanism. A citizen can file a complaint regarding grievances related to: the citizens’ charter. the functioning of a public authority. the violation of a law, policy or scheme. A citizen cannot file a complaint relating to a public servant, whether serving or retired. Within six months of the passing of the Bill, all public authorities must appoint Grievance Redress Officers (GROs) at the central, state, district and municipality levels, to receive complaints and take appropriate action. Within 30 working days of the complaint being filed, it must be addressed, the grievance redressed and the defaulting officer identified. A public officer can be fined up to Rs 50,000 for failure to deliver services. If a GRO does not appropriately address the complaint, he/she too can be fined. Fines will be recovered from the salaries of the public officer/GRO. Central and State Public Grievance Redressal Commissions should also be appointed. These commissions have the power to refer cases to the Head of Department of the public authority against which the complaint is lodged. They can also initiate a suo-moto inquiry. If the public authority or commission finds evidence of corruption, it can refer the case to the authorities under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. A citizen can appeal the decision of the State Public Grievance Redressal Commission before the Lokayukta and that of the Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission before the Lokpal. To read the Bill, click here. Current status While the government sought to pass an ordinance on grievance redressal, activists Anjali Bhardwaj and Nikhil Dey say in an article in the Indian Express that this has met with a mixed response because an ordinance “prevents political parties and citizens from expressing legitimate concerns and dissent about the legislation, its provisions and impact”. This Bill can be taken up for discussion only in the 16th Lok Sabha, which will be formed after the April-May 2014 general elections. If you wish to petition the President, the Prime Minister, the Parliament and all political parties to pass The Public Services Grievances Bill, we request you to sign this petition.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 08:18:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015