Hyderabad: Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, founder of Lok Satta and Foundation for Democratic Reforms, wrote to AP Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday appreciating his resolve to end corruption and deliver services to the poor in a time-bound and efficient manner.
Welcoming Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s commitment to provide corruption-free government and competent service delivery, Jayaprakash Narayan reminded that Andhra Pradesh had enacted Public Service Delivery Guarantee (PSDG) Act for 40 services under Business Action Reform Plan in 2017. However, the law has been limited to industries, and has not been extended to all other government services that can be realistically brought under this framework. “Enactment of a well-designed service delivery legislation defining the competent authorities, timelines for delivery of service (clearances, approvals, licenses, renewals) and compensation to applicants in case of delay and mechanisms to appeal are the necessary features of an accountable government. Such a law will have far greater impact on governance than even the Right to Information Act and Lokpal Act”, he added.
Dr Jayaprakash Narayan stated that the Foundation for Democratic Reforms and Lok Satta movement have been working on Citizens’ Charters and a service guarantee law for several years. “We have also had detailed interaction with the Parliamentary Committee on the subject. At the instance of the Parliamentary Committee, we have prepared a draft Bill integrating normal service delivery with electronic services. In this age of increasing computerization, it is vital that we integrate all forms of services and ensure a single, effective, enforceable law to improve most services to ordinary people and ensure convergence of services to facilitate easy access”, he said.
Lok Satta founder also enclosed a copy of draft Public Service Delivery Guarantee Bill for Andhra Pradesh to the Chief Minister for a perusal. The key features of The Draft Bill can be provided for all the services in the State. He also expressed is readiness to interact with the Chief Minister and his officials to help enact a sound law to make the governance and bureaucracy accessible, transparent and accountable. (NSS)
