Panel proposes repeal of RTS Act

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has directed the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary, Governance, to examine a proposal of the Punjab Governance Reforms and Ethics Commission (PGREC) to repeal the Punjab Right to Service (RTS) Act, 2011.

The direction came on a proposal by PGREC chairman KR Lakhanpal, who has written to the CM seeking immediate repeal of the law on the ground that “elaborate administrative machinery created under the same, topped by the Right to Service Commission comprising a chairperson and 10 members, serves little purpose, except incurring some avoidable and wasteful expenditure.”

The Council of Ministers, in its meeting on March 18, had decided to replace the Punjab RTS Act. The Department of Governance Reforms had subsequently prepared the draft of the new law, which was discussed in a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.

However, it was observed that the new draft law did not address major shortcomings in the existing law and needed improvements to be an effective tool for the timely, accountable and corruption-free delivery of public services to the citizen. The new proposed legislation is still under discussion, an official spokesperson said today.