Jharkhand passes Right to Service Bill

The Arjun Munda-led coalition government in Jharkhand has passed the Right to Service Bill in the state Assembly recently and brought the state government employees under compulsion to complete their assignments within the stipulated time.

In the first phase the state government decided to bring 20 services under the right to service and in case an officer fails to complete the work within the stipulated time, he or she will have to pay fine.Some of the important services that incorporated in the right to service were: disbursement of pension, scholarship, electricity connection and issue of driving licence, passport, caste and income certificate.

Provision was made in the bill that if the designated officer fails to provide service in time without any valid reason, he or she may have to pay a penalty, which shall not be less than Rs 500 and not more than Rs 5,000.

There is also a provision of imposition of fine at the rate of Rs 250 per day but not exceeding Rs 5,000 in case the appellate authority is of the opinion that the designated office has caused unnecessary delay in providing service. The amount will be realised from the salary of the officer.The Urban Hawkers Bill was also passed in the Assembly making a provision of health insurance to hawkers and their family members along with suitable allotment of space for vending.