Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has directed to ensure timely public service delivery identified under the Odisha Right to Public Service Act (ORTPSA) being implemented through different departments in the State.
In this regard, the Chief Secretary has issued detailed instructions to Secretaries of all departments, all Revenue Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors for effective service delivery under the Act.
Directions have also been issued on how essential services covered under the ORTPSA will be made available to the intended beneficiaries in a time-bound manner.
Chief Secretary Shri Ahuja in his letter mentioned that timely public service delivery is instrumental to good governance. The Government of Odisha is dedicated to making public services readily available right at the doorstep of its citizens.
428 Public Services of 32 Departments have been notified under this Act so far.
The Department heads should carry out a detailed assessment of the status of delivery of public services and take steps to ensure that these services are made available in time and accountability fixed on officials in case of any delay or lapses.
All Departments shall take up Government Process Reengineering (GPR) for all the Public Services notified under the Act so as to make the service delivery smooth.
One Senior Officer of each Department has been designated as the Nodal Officer under the ORTPSA.
During field visit Secretaries are to randomly pick items of Public Service and verify whether delivered to the citizens within timeline as per the Notification under ORTPSA and submit the report about the delivery of services within timeline and beyond timeline and check the percentage of achievement.
All Secretaries will review performance of delivery of services each month and present summary of achievements of their respective department. Collectors should give priority to his area to review achievements of their concerned Districts regarding delivery of public services each month.
It is noteworthy to mention that under the Act, if a citizen does not get their intended services or is delayed, in the first step, they can file a complaint with the Appellate Authority. If still results are not obtained, there is a provision to re-apply for justice before the Revisional Authority.
The Chief Secretary has also reiterated that the instructions given should be attained with good spirit to ensure successful implementation of the Act.