A Bill laying down obligations of every public authority towards citizens, specifying delivery of goods and services in a time-bound manner and providing for a grievance redressal mechanism for non-compliance of citizens charter was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of Their Grievances Bill, 2011 was tabled by V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The Bill makes it mandatory for every public department to publish a Citizens' Charter and address grievances within 30 days, failing which the official concerned would face action, including a fine of up to Rs. 50,000 (to be recovered from his salary) and disciplinary proceedings.
The charter seeks to make it mandatory for government officials to acknowledge complaints from people within two days of receipt. The Bill seeks to set up a grievance redressal mechanism to tackle graft in the lower ranks of administration, a move that comes against the backdrop of Team Anna's anti-corruption campaign.
