Punjab sets up new milestone in digitilisation of public services

Chandigarh, November 23, 2014: In a move that puts Punjab on the digital map, the government has initiated the establishment of an efficient time bound service delivery system under Right to Services Act .

Punjab Right to Service Commission has engaged the services of the National Informatics Centre that has created unique, personalized software to enable a cohesive and comprehensive Right to Service Information System for online access and monitoring.

The Chief Commissioner of Punjab Right to Service Commission, S.C. Agrawal said that since the inception of the Punjab Right to Service Commission under the Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011, the constituted government body has addressed over 3 Crore applications from the state out of which 1.06 Crore applications have been settled out this year alone.

Aggarwal informed that till date the first, second appellate and revision authorities have received a total 1214 complaints out 1169 were sorted out while 45 were under progress. He said in suo-motto notice cases 266 cases have been redressed and penalty has been imposed on 44 officers/officials in 18 cases.

Giving further details Aggarwal said a total 6334 issues including birth/death certificates, driving license, residential certificates, demarcation of lands, arm licence, ration card building plans, water and sewerage connection etc. lying pending between general public and various government authorities from different districts of the state have also been resolved with the active intervention of the Commission.

With the expansion of economy, there has been awareness all around and public at large felt that though they are entitled to services under various enactments, yet there was no time limit fixed for delivery of the services. The PRTS Act-2011 has empowered people to seek services in a hassle free, corruption free, transparent and time-bound manner through different service delivery mechanisms. With the coming of the Online Monitoring System, an efficient and speedy addressal gateway has been created for the ease and convenience of the public and efficient action of the departments.

The Commissioner elucidated upon the benefits of having such a system in place. It will provide an effective frame work for time bound delivery of services being provided by various government departments in order to promote transparency and accountability. He added that the state will be the first in getting such a system in place. In fact, Punjab was the first state in the country to constitute the Punjab Right to Service Commission after implementing the Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011. This system will be a testimony to the pioneering spirit of Punjab and the tireless efforts of the government for development. Agrawal stated that the Online Monitoring System links various departments such as Health, Revenue, Home, Housing and Urban Development and will provide access and linkage to other districts. The pilot project is taking flight in S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), the city will be hosting the first run for the software. The system is expected to have a pan Punjab implementation at the earliest, staff for the maintenance and smooth functioning of the system is being given technical training for the same.

 

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