Although governance is the fundamental right of the citizens and the most important responsibility of a government, on the ground, it’s bad governance that takes over good governance very often. The Right to Public Services Act is a sentinel to prevent that. While good governance delivers inclusive growth and brings happiness to people, bad governance creates resentment and rebellion among the citizens. Bad governance also undermines the business climate, limiting investments and opportunities for growth.
Lack of reforms, inefficiency, and corruption at the various levels of the public service departments are the main causes of bad governance. Whether a poor family needs to be eligible for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) card or a person wants a driver’s license, there is too often a bribe to be paid, or there will be inordinate delays, or even chances of not receiving the document, forcing one to go through the process again.
The mark of a progressive government appears in its efforts to bring reform to the processes of governance and clean up its delivery system to improve citizens’ experiences. In the first meeting of the Fadnavis government after it was sworn in on 31st October 2014, CM Devendra Fadnavis proposed introducing the Service Guarantee Act in Maharashtra and enacting a law to help enforce the act. Accordingly, the proposal was fast-tracked, and Maharashtra got its Public Service Rights Act ordinance on 28th April 2015, as a major step towards eliminating bad governance.
Also known as the Public Service Guarantee Act, this ordinance was a bold and far-sighted move by a first-time and newly elected CM. However, Devendra Fadnavis showed his mettle,
ensuring timely, efficient, and transparent services to the citizens of Maharashtra from the very beginning of his government by enforcing strict measures against corruption, inefficiencies, and apathy among the government employees working in the municipalities, municipal corporations, Zilla Parishads, and other state and central government offices responsible for providing all types of government services meant for the citizens.
The Maharashtra Public Service Rights Act 2015
The Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015 falls under the category of Right to Public Services legislation in India, consisting of legal provisions that ensure the timely provision of public services by the government to its citizens and offer a framework for penalizing government officials who fail to deliver the services stipulated under the statute. This act aims to curb corruption among government employees and enhance transparency and accountability to the public. It created the Maharashtra State Commission for Right to Public Services to oversee, enhance, regulate, and coordinate the services offered by the government. Citizens are empowered by this law as they can:
- Receive details on services via the “RTS Maharashtra” app or the “Aaple Sarkar Web Portal.”
- Submit applications for services via the Internet.
- Submit grievances if a service is delayed or denied without valid reasons. Residents have the option to submit one or two grievances to senior officials, followed by a final grievance to the commission should they remain dissatisfied. The responsible official could be fined a maximum of Rs 5,000 for each case.
Always a voice to ensure awareness and access to public services
Even when he was an opposition MLA in 2011, Devendra Fadnavis introduced a non-governmental bill named ‘Maharashtra Rajya Seva Hami’ in the Legislative Assembly with the aim of informing the citizens of the state about their rights and access to the services provided by the government. The non-governmental bill was also discussed in the legislature. But as usual, the then government in power, wrapped up the issue by giving strong remarks. However, Devendraji did not give up pursuing to establish people’s rights to public services in Maharashtra. In 2014, there was a change of power in the state. The Congress-NCP government was replaced with the BJP-Shiv Sena government. Devendra Fadnavis took charge of the Chief Ministership and approved the Service Guarantee Act in the very first cabinet meeting and converted it into law on 28th April 2015
A true representative of people
Fadnavis did not stop with bringing this law. The Public Service Rights Commission was established by the government decision dated 17th June 2016 for proper implementation of the law. On January 26, 2016, the ‘Aaple Sarkar’ web portal was launched for citizens to get services of all departments under one umbrella. As of today, 662 services in 38 departments have been notified through our government portal. 453 services out of which are available through an online portal. The government has also launched an app called Aapna Sarkar. So far 15,97,39,193 applications have been received for various types of services. Out of which 15,11,10,021 applications were settled.
No earlier government enacted a law to punish officers for not serving people sincerely.
Earlier, the citizens of the state had no legal right to avail of services from the administration. Also, there was no facility to take any action against the concerned employee if a government employee did not provide service to the citizens within the time limit. In 2005, the Congress-Nationalist Congress government introduced the Office Delay Act. But it did not prepare the rules of this law for 7-8 years. Therefore that act was of no use. But the Service Guarantee Act enacted by the Fadnavis government changed this situation. A strict provision of dismissal from service was made along with penal action against the employees who were found guilty of not serving the citizens properly and timely. This helped curb corruption and at the same time, citizens started getting faster services.
Timeline: Lokseva Hakka Adhiniyam
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019