New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit exhorted people to exercise their rights in getting 116 services from 24 government departments and agencies under a legislation that makes babus liable to pay penalty to citizens for delay.
Dikshit said a staggering 55 lakh applications were received by various government departments from citizens so far seeking various services under the provision of the legislation since it had come into effect in September 2011 and 51 lakh of them have been disposed of satisfactorily.
Addressing representatives of over 900 Resident Welfare Associations, she said people must use provisions of Delhi Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services Act to improve services of various Delhi government departments and municipal corporations.
According to provisions of the legislation, officials are liable to pay financial penalty of Rs 10 per day up to a maximum of Rs 200 to applicants if they fail to deliver services like issuance of ration card, driving license and electricity connection within stipulated time-frame.
"People must exercise the provision of demanding penalty from officials if they fail to deliver the services within set time limit.
"We need to spread awareness about provision of the legislation so that errant and lethargic officials are punished," Dikshit said at the workshop held at Talkotara stadium.
Under the provision of the Act, the citizens can file application online to get the services which are being provided under ESLA (electronic Service Level Agreement).
Initially, the government had brought 32 services under the ambit of legislation and added 84 more later taking the total number of services to 116.
As per provision of the Act, issuance of new driving license as well as renewal of old license should not take more than one day of filling of the applications.
Similarly, private power discoms will have to provide new electricity connections within 35 days.
MCD and NDMC have to issue birth and death certificates in seven days.
Also, domicile, income and nationality certificates have to be issued by the revenue department within three weeks.
"The legislation is like a two-edged sword which may punish the lethargic and errant officers for their delay and may provide relief to the applicants in the form of timely action," Dikshit said adding that the legislation has brought a "change in work culture" in various departments as officials have come to understand the importance of time-bound delivery of services.
Around 4,000 office bearers of 910 RWAs from North, North-West and West Revenue Districts participated in the workshop.
Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami, a number of MLAs and officials from various concerned departments were present on the occasion.
Referring to the issue of security, Dikshit told the RWAs that they are free to install CCTV cameras in their areas and the expenditure can be met from the money provided to them by the government under-My Delhi I Care Fund.
She, however, said, the RWAs will have to take Delhi Police into confidence before installing the CCTV cameras. Delhi Government provides Rs five lakh per district annually under the My Delhi I Care Fund.
Apart from this, every RWA is also being provided Rs one lakh each per annum to take up developmental activities."Installation of CCTV will certainly help improve security. We are concerned about security of women and that is why following the December 16 (gangrape) incident we set up a round-the-clock helpline 181 for women in distress," she said asking the RWAs to have an effective coordination with Delhi Police on the issue.
Claiming that Bhagidari initiative of her government was a big success, she said Delhi was the first state to take up local developmental programmes as per wishes and priorities of the people."The people must become vigilant so that they could monitor their projects," she said.
The Chief Minister also urged people to plant and nurture trees.
"We must plant more saplings to improve the green cover. We are looking for a better environment so that one can breathe easily," she said.
The issues raised by the representatives of RWAs included "slackness" of traffic police, problem of sanitation and cleanliness, maintenance of parks, encroachment on footpaths and problems arising out of multiplicity of authorities.
Dikshit underlined the need for regular monthly meeting between the RWAs and district administrations. She assured of action on their issues within a fortnight time.
PTI
