Punjab has created a record in the novel governance reform initiative with over 6.36 crore citizens availing services under Right to Service Act since its inception.
As per the data released, more than 6.36 crore applicants have been provided notified services since the inception of Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011 out of which 23,55,299 applicants have availed the notified services during the month of November, 2015 only.
Divulging the details, an official of Punjab Government said that only 13,525 applications were pending beyond time line. The concerned departments have been asked to clear all the pending applications immediately.
He said that in all 83 officers/officials have been penalized by Commission as well as 2nd Appellate Authorities for not providing services within timeline notified by the State Government under Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011.
The official said that on the basis of reports received from various districts, the Commission took suo-moto notice in groups of cases where service was delayed beyond time lines without sufficient cause.
With the intervention of the Commission, 18,749 cases have been disposed of, which includes 356 during October 2015. Apart from this, suo-moto action was initiated by the Commission in 582 individual cases received from the public, he added.
He said that the Chief Commissioner, IS Sidhu alongwith Secretary had visited Sangrur where they inspected various delivery points such as Suwidha Centre, Sanjh Kendar, Fard Kender and other offices to oversee the delivery of services being provided to the people within notified time lines. The Chief Commissioner also held meeting with the officers/officials of different departments of the district to review the delivery of services and ascertaining difficulties being faced by them.
Also, a seminar was organized by Human Rights Protection Cell, Sangrur to aware the people regarding Right to Service Act, 2011.
Out of 1296 and 236 appeals filed before the 1st and 2nd Appellate Authorities, 1169 and 207 respectively have been disposed of by the concerned authorities. Similarly 36 Revisions out of 38 have been disposed of by the Commission, added the official.
The Commission has recommended 52 and 11 services pertaining to Medical Education & Research and Excise & Taxation Department to State Government for notification under Section 3 of the Act so that applicants relating to these departments may also get the services within fixed period, said the official.
He added that the Commission had so far referred 549 complaints including 25 during November 2015 to various authorities for sympathetic consideration which were not covered under the services notified by the Punjab Govt. under Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011.