Abolition of affidavits saves Rs 300 crore-Sukhbir Singh Badal

Chandigarh, April 27, 2015: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that abolition of seeking affidavits by Punjab government not only saved Rs 300 crore annually of public but also restored trust and dignity of citizens by accepting self-certification of their documents.

In a statement issued here, Deputy Chief Minister said it was found that out 22.68 lac services delivered through Suwidha Kendras, 14.8 lac services pertains to attestation of affidavits. "During admissions in educational institutes and applications in quest of Government services, applicants rush to get their certificates attested from gazetted officers that led to harassment. Keeping in views this cumbersome procedure Punjab government decided to done away with seeking of affidavits and attestations on priority basis", he informed.

However Badal said Punjab Government identified only 12 services where an affidavit was mandatory under State and Central laws. He informed that total number of services relating to affidavits scaled down 14.8 lac to 3.20 lac. “Affidavits for 88 services have been waved off. This decision has not only saved Rs 300 crore but also restored trust and dignity of citizens”, he added.

Targeting the trust deficit between government towards citizen and vice-versa in traditional governance, Badal said conventional system was also characterised by lack of respect and dignity to citizens. He said State government would implement revolutionary governance reforms and Punjab to lead the country in implementing online government to government (G2G) services and government to consumer (G2C) services by the end of this year.

He said that Punjab was all set to take lead by setting up 2174 Sewa Kendras and 2112 Gram Suvidha Kendras across the State to provide hassle free citizen centric services at grass root level. More than 500 Saanjh Kendras, 153 Fard Kendras, 132 Suvidha Kendras were already providing services to citizens.

Badal said due to its concerted efforts to bring ground-breaking governance reforms Punjab has not only achieved best governance practice award at national level but reformative initiatives undertaken by State were being implemented by Union Government ministries, organizations and other States.