So far, 2.95 crore people have received direct benefit of public services’ delivery within time-limit under Public Services Delivery Guarantee Act in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, 253 officers and employees have been fined over Rs13 lakh for failing to deliver services within time-limit. The Act implemented in 2010 in Madhya Pradesh has been replicated by about 20 States.
So far, about 155 services of 23 departments have been brought under the ambit of the Act. Of these, applications for 72 services are being received online. As many as 336 public service centres have been established in the State.
Under the novel Act, over Rs4.50 lakh has been paid to aggrieved 486 applicants as compensation. The system is being monitored constantly.
It is noteworthy that a time-limit has been prescribed for delivery of every service to people. Madhya Pradesh is perhaps the first state of the country where legal guarantee has been given to people for delivery of identified services within time-limit. This has created a new work culture in the state. After introduction of the Act in Madhya Pradesh, it has been replicated by 20 other states including Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Jammu-Kashmir, Jharkhand, etc.
Designated officers have to deliver services within time-limit. There is provision to fine officers and employees for not delivering or inordinately delaying delivery of service. The fine ranges from Rs250 and Rs5,000. Amount realised as fine is given to concerning applicant as compensation. For the Act’s effective implementation, the state government has constituted “State Public Service Agency” under Public Service Management Department. Buildings of 120 out of 336 public services centres have been completed. State Wide Area Network (SWAN) connectivity is being provided to all public service centres.
Notably, Madhya Pradesh has received United Nations Organisation’s prestigious award in the category of “Improving The Delivery of Public Services” for putting in place an effective mechanism for delivering public services.
Similarly, the state has also received Skoch Award and e-Governance Excellence State IT Award. Digital signatures of over 12,000 officers have been prepared to deliver services online. Digitally signed certificates are available in a common repository on www.mpedistrict.mp.gov.in.