The Centre on Tuesday tabled a Bill in the Lok Sabha that seeks to provide for electronic delivery of public services by the government to all persons to ensure transparency efficiency, accountability, accessibility and reliability in delivery of such services.
The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011 was tabled by the Information Technology and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal. As per the provisions of the Bill, the Centre, the States and all public authorities under them shall deliver all public services by electronic mode, except such services which cannot be delivered electronically, within five years from the date of coming into force of the Act.
The Bill allows for “delivery of public services through electronic mode including the receipt of forms and applications, issue or grant of licence, permit, certificate, sanction or approval and the receipt and payment of money.”
The Bill seeks that all government departments concerned review and verify the date by which each such services shall be made available through electronic mode, simplify and improve existing processes and forms relating to these services and notify Grievance Redressal Mechanisms for the redressal of grievances relating to electronic delivery of services.
Penalty
The Bill proposes penalties of up to Rs. 5,000 for officials if they fail to adhere to the norms. In case of persistent default, the penalty may extend up to Rs. 20,000.
It will also result in the establishment of the Central Electronic Service Delivery Commission at the Central level and the State Electronic Service Delivery Commission at the State level and imposition of a penalty on defaulting officials for contravention of the provisions of this proposal Act.
