Guarantee of Services Act implemented on pilot basis in Puttur

Guarantee of Services Act implemented on pilot basis in Puttur

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Mar 2, 2012 : The Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act 2011, which aims to give quick service to citizens, was launched on a trial basis in Puttur yesterday under the name of “Sakaala” and the slogan “Indu Nale Innilla, Helida Dina Thappolla.”

 

The project was launched at a taluk each in DK, Bidar, Jayanagar (Bangalore), Chitradurga, and Dharwad.

This Act will be useful to people who are otherwise forced to run from pillar to post for essential services from government officials. It promises citizens that they will receive required services within a specific time frame, failing which the concerned officers can be penalized.

Important Facts

A total of 151 services, falling under 11 government departments, including transport, revenue, food and civil supplies, rural and panchayat raj, education, labour, woman and child welfare, and others come under this Act.

The Act gives a specific deadline to each service, and citizens have to be provided this service within the given deadline. In case of delay, the citizens can question the officials concerned. If the government officers fail to provide the service within the given deadline, he will have to pay compensation at the rate of Rs. 20 per day for as long as he delays providing the service up to Rs. 500 per application. If the officer still fails to deliver the service, the citizen can approach a government-notified officer, who will then investigate the case and impose penalties on the concerned officials and subordinates.

Strict action will be taken against government employees found guilty of not providing services within the given deadline for more than 25 times per year. Citizens can dial 080-44554455 to find out the status of their applications or they can even find the status at www.kgsc.kar.nic.in.

A list of the important services that this Act covers includes FIR copy, caste certificate, age certificate, ID card for senior citizens, birth/death certificates, driving license, ration card, revaluation, and so on.

N. Yogish Bhat Speaks

Delivering his inaugural address on the occasion, N. Yogish Bhat, the deputy speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said that the Act will make the system transparent and accountable. One of the advantages of the Act is that it is out of the judicial purview, owing to which nobody can move court or impose stay orders.

Further, he said that that Act, which has been implemented on a trial basis in five districts, will be implemented throughout the state from April 1.

K. A. Dayananda Speaks

Speaking on the occasion, K. A. Dayanada, the additional district commissioner, said that the Act was formed on the Bihar model, where 85 lakh applications were disposed within 2 years.

On the first day, around six people submitted applications.

While MP Nalin Kumar Kateel unveiled the logo, Mallika Prasad, the MLA of Puttur, presided.

Dial 080-44554455 or visit www.dpar.kar.nic.in for more information.

Why Puttur was Chosen

Puttur, the hometown of CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda, was chosen for this project at the last minute. Initially, Kundapur was selected and a month-long training program was conducted for officers in Kundapur. Five days back, Kundapur was removed from the list and Puttur was placed instead although the officers in Puttur were not trained for this project and the taluk has no logistic support.

A 2-day training program will be held at the ZP on Friday and Saturday, said ADC K. A. Dayananda.