Punjab Transparency and Accountability in Delivery of Public Services Ordinance, 2017

In a step towards winding up the Right to Service (RTS) Commission, set up by the previous SAD-BJP government, the Cabinet has gave its nod to the Punjab Transparency and Accountability in Delivery of Public Services (including electronic service delivery), Ordinance, 2017. Once it is approved by the Governor, the RTS Act 2011 will cease to exist.

Reason behind change:
RTS Act 2011 lacked mandatory provision for online or digital system for receiving citizen’s requests for delivery of various services in time-bound manner.

Highlights:

• Key features of the ordinance are computerisation of all public services, mandatory online receipt of service request and timely delivery.
• Other focus areas relate to inclusion of a healthy system of incentives and disincentives for the public authority and its staff, tracking of application status by applicants through mobiles or internet and faster delivery of justice.

By: Dr. Vivek Rana