185 services under RTS Act soon

Ramkrishan Upadhyay  

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10     

A year after the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the  Punjab Right to Services (RTS) Act to Chandigarh, the Right to Service Commission,  Chandigarh,  has finalised at least 185   services to be notified under the Act soon.  Sources said the services would cover all  major public  dealing  departments such as the  Estate  Office, the DC’s office, Transport, the MC,  the RLA, the CHB and Health.

The commission has complied a list of the services   offered by the departments and the timeline for  the completion of the work. The list will be sent to the Administration.

The sources said once the notification  was issued, residents  would have the  right  to file an appeal  for any delay.

If the officer  concerned fails to deliver the  services   in the stipulated time, the  Act also has a provision for imposing a penalty,  which can range from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, or disciplinary proceedings against the officer.

The applicant can be compensated from the penalty imposed on the officer.  All departments  will have to nominate the first appellate authority and the second appellate authority to decide appeals against a delay in providing the services.  The authority  can order the public servant to provide the service to the applicant or impose a penalty on the designated officer for deficiency of service. The appellate authority  will also have  certain powers of a civil court.

The commission will hear revision applications against the orders of the appellate authority. 

DC’s office

• Registration of society: 7 days 
• Grant /renewal of Arms Licence: 7 days after  completion of formalities