The Asian Age: Mumbai: Thursday, 08 May 2014.
A citizen
movement called Lok Adhikar launched in April has started working towards
creating awareness among public about a little-known Act, which after Right to
Information Act (RTI), is the second law that gives power to the public and
guarantees timely delivery of public services. The members attached with the
movement have also written a letter to chief minister Prithviraj Chav-an and
are trying to meet him to demand a better implementation of the Act.
The
Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay
in Discharge of Official Duties Act, 2005, was passed in the same year as the
RTI, however, few are aware of it. The Lok Adhikar is calling it the “Right to
Service Act” and to create awareness, it had organised a public meet on Tuesday
at the Indian Merchant Chambers that was attended by many prominent citizens
and member of NGOs like RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi, Sanjay Ubale, Nitai Mehta
of Praja, Gerson da Cunha of AGNI, Shashi Baliga, Bhaskar Prabhu of Mahiti
Adhikar Manch and many others.
This law
mandates all agencies of the state government to declare timelines within which
it will provide public service through the Citizens Charter. Incidentally, a
government department must have a Citizens Charter detailing the nature of
services it offers the citizens and the time frame within which those services
are to be provided. As a Citizen Charter is an important factor of this Act, it
says this should be displayed prominently in the department as well as be
available on its website.
It is also to
be noted that while the RTI only provides information, this Act can take things
to the next level and get work done, as citizens can file complaints against
timelines of Citizens Charter not being followed.
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