Odisha plans to introduce 'Right to Public Service Bill' to help improve its interface with the citizens and provide them prompt and hassle free services. The bill is aimed at fixing greater accountability on officers responsible for providing timely services with penalty provisions and scope for action against erring officers.
The proposed bill will bring within its ambit key government departments that have frequent interface with the people like energy, water resources, health & family welfare and housing & urban development to name a few.
"Once the law is enacted by the members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the citizens of the state will be entitled to public services within prescribed time limits. In case of any deviation, the citizens can file complaint and action will be initiated against the erring officers”, chief minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters after a meeting with departmental secretaries.
It may be noted that states like Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have already enacted such bills.