<<–2/”>a >u>Delivering public Services in a time bound, decentralised and citizen friendly manner has been one of the major challenges facing the administration wing of the government.Right To Service legislation in India comprises statutory laws which guarantee time-bound delivery of various public services rendered to citizens and provides mechanism for punishing the errant public servant if they are is deficient in providing the stipulated services. Hence, Right to Service legislation ensures delivery of time bound services to the public. If the concerned officer fails to provide the service in time, he will have to pay a fine. Thus, it is aimed to reduce Corruption among the government officials and to increase transparency and public accountability.
Right to Service legislation are meant to reduce corruption among the government officials and to increase transparency and public accountability. Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to enact Right to Service Act on 18 August 2010 and Bihar was the second to enact this bill on 25 July 2011. Several other states like Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, HimachalPradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand have introduced similar legislation for effectuating the right to service to the citizen.
Our development as a nation is plagued by low Literacy levels, poor Health, high Population, extreme POVERTY and corruption. In 2014 India ranked 85th out of 175 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index11 indicating there is a long way to go.
The three defining indicators that have emerged as main components of Good Governance, effectively reinforcing democratic principle
- Transparency and Accessibility: Transparency is described as the “characteristic of governments, companies, organisations and individuals of being open in the clear disclosure of information rules, plans, processes and actions”.
- Accountability and Timelines: Administrative transparency is a means to ensure accountability, reason the lack of it, and also highlight areas susceptible to corrupt practices, further ensuring that they are not overlooked. Accountability strategies which include checks and balances range from checking resource use, controlling expenditure, internal and external Auditing processes, to monitoring mechanisms.
- Impact and Responsiveness of the Administration: The impact of the efficiency of the system can be gauged by people’s faith and confidence in the same. Citizens have become more articulate and aware and expect the administration to respond not merely to their demands but also anticipate them beforehand. The effectiveness and efficiency of an administration at any level, centre, state or local depends on fully responsive and representational people and institutions, as well as on prioritising service and legal mechanisms to correspond with needs of citizens.
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), “Citizen Centric Administration: The Heart of Governance” endorsed the Sevottam framework and recommended its full implementation in Union and State Governments. Later in 2007, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission recommended that Citizen’s Charters should stipulate penalties for non-compliance followed by The Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice recommending giving statutory status to Grievance Redressal mechanisms, in 2008.
Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) In June 2007, the DARPG put in place a 24×7 online portal that links 89 ministries/departments/organisations as of now. This web-enabled solution called the CPGRAMS, sought to streamline and integrate the whole process. The CPGRAMS helps in filing, transferring, tracking and monitoring of complaints from both sides—the citizen, and the department-incharge—from any place and at any time.
The Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 20, 2011. The Bill was referred to the Department Related Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice.
19 States have Notified/Enacted the bill till yet.
The Bill refers to a ‘citizens charter’ which is a document that defines the standard of services to be provided by an entity. The citizens charter will also provide the time frame within which goods and services are to be provided.
- The Bill requires all public authorities to appoint officers to redress grievances. Grievances are to be redressed within 30 working days. The Bill also provides for the appointment of Central and State Public Grievance Redressal Commissions.
- A penalty of up to Rs 50,000 may be levied upon the responsible officer or the Grievance Redressal Officer for failure to render services.
The common framework of the legislations in various states includes, granting of “right to public services”, which are to be provided to the public by the designated official within the stipulated time frame. The public services which are to be granted as a right under the legislations are generally notified separately through Gazette notification. Some of the common public services which are to be provided within the fixed time frame as a right under the Acts, includes issuing caste, birth, marriage and domicile certificates, electric connections, voter’s card, ration cards, copies of land records, etc.
On failure to provide the service by the designated officer within the given time or rejected to provide the service, the aggrieved person can approach the First Appellate Authority. The First Appellate Authority, after making a hearing, can accept or reject the appeal by making a written order stating the reasons for the order and intimate the same to the applicant, and can order the public servant to provide the service to the applicant.
An appeal can be made from the order of the First Appellate Authority to the Second Appellate Authority, who can either accept or reject the application, by making a written order stating the reasons for the order and intimate the same to the applicant, and can order the public servant to provide the service to the applicant or can impose penalty on the designated officer for deficiency of service without any reasonable cause, which can range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5000 or may recommend disciplinary proceedings. The applicant may be compensated out of the penalty imposed on the officer. The appellate authorities has been granted certain powers of a Civil Court while trying a suit under Code of Civil Procedure.,
The Public Service Act is a law that governs the civil service in the Philippines. It was enacted in 1989 and has been amended several times since then. The law sets forth the qualifications and duties of civil servants, as well as the procedures for hiring, firing, and promoting them. It also establishes the Civil Service Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the law.
The Public Service Act has a number of implications for the Philippine government. First, it ensures that the civil service is staffed by qualified and competent individuals. Second, it helps to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the government. Third, it provides a system of checks and balances to prevent corruption. Fourth, it helps to protect the rights of civil servants.
The Public Service Act has been praised by some for its role in promoting good governance in the Philippines. However, it has also been criticized for being too bureaucratic and for not doing enough to address the problem of corruption.
The following are some of the subtopics that are related to the Public Service Act and its implications:
- Qualifications and duties of civil servants
The Public Service Act sets forth the qualifications and duties of civil servants. To be eligible for appointment to a civil service position, an individual must be a citizen of the Philippines, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the Philippines for at least one year immediately preceding the date of appointment. In addition, the individual must meet the specific qualifications for the position, which may include educational requirements, experience requirements, and licensure requirements.
The duties of civil servants are set forth in the Public Service Act and in the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission. Civil servants are required to perform their duties faithfully and honestly, to obey the orders of their superiors, and to maintain the confidentiality of government information. They are also required to avoid conflicts of interest and to report any instances of corruption to the proper authorities.
- Procedures for hiring, firing, and promoting civil servants
The Public Service Act sets forth the procedures for hiring, firing, and promoting civil servants. The hiring process is competitive and is based on merit. Civil servants are hired through a process of examination, interview, and evaluation. Once hired, civil servants are subject to a probationary period of one year. After the probationary period, civil servants may be promoted based on merit and performance.
- The Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission is an independent constitutional body that is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Public Service Act. The Commission is composed of three commissioners who are appointed by the President with the Consent of the Commission on Appointments. The Commission has the power to appoint, promote, and discipline civil servants. It also has the power to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption in the civil service.
- Efficiency and effectiveness in the government
The Public Service Act helps to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the government by ensuring that the civil service is staffed by qualified and competent individuals. The law also provides a system of checks and balances to prevent corruption. This helps to ensure that the government is run in a fair and transparent manner.
- Corruption
Corruption is a major problem in the Philippines. It is estimated that corruption costs the Philippine government billions of pesos each year. The Public Service Act helps to address the problem of corruption by providing a system of checks and balances and by protecting the rights of whistle-blowers.
- Protection of the rights of civil servants
The Public Service Act protects the rights of civil servants by prohibiting discrimination and by providing a system of due process. The law also prohibits the use of political patronage in the hiring and promotion of civil servants.
- Good governance
The Public Service Act helps to promote good governance in the Philippines by ensuring that the civil service is staffed by qualified and competent individuals. The law also provides a system of checks and balances to prevent corruption. This helps to ensure that the government is run in a fair and transparent manner.
The Public Service Act has been criticized for being too bureaucratic. Some critics argue that the law is too complex and that it makes it difficult to hire and fire civil servants. Others argue that the law is too slow and that it makes it difficult to implement reforms.
- Criticism of the Public Service Act
The Public Service Act has also been criticized for not doing enough to address the problem of corruption. Some critics argue that the law does not provide enough protection for whistle-blowers. Others argue that the law does not do enough to punish corrupt officials.
Despite its criticisms, the Public Service Act remains an important law that helps to promote good governance in the Philippines. The law has helped to improve the quality of the civil service and to reduce corruption. However, there is still room for improvement. The law could be made simpler and more efficient. It could also be made more effective in addressing the problem of corruption.
What is the Public Service Act?
The Public Service Act is a law that governs the EMPLOYMENT of public servants in the Philippines. It was enacted in 1989 and has been amended several times since then. The law sets forth the qualifications and requirements for public service, as well as the rights and benefits of public servants.
What are the implications of the Public Service Act?
The Public Service Act has a number of implications for public servants in the Philippines. First, it sets forth the qualifications and requirements for public service. This means that all public servants must meet certain minimum standards in order to be eligible for employment. Second, the law sets forth the rights and benefits of public servants. This includes things like salary, benefits, and job security. Third, the law establishes a number of procedures and processes for public service. This includes things like recruitment, hiring, and promotion.
What are some frequently asked questions about the Public Service Act?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Public Service Act:
- What are the qualifications for public service?
The qualifications for public service are set forth in the Public Service Act. In general, applicants must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the Philippines, and of good moral character. They must also meet any specific requirements for the position they are applying for.
- What are the benefits of public service?
The benefits of public service are set forth in the Public Service Act. In general, public servants are entitled to a salary, benefits, and job security. They may also be eligible for other benefits, such as housing and transportation allowances.
- What are the procedures and processes for public service?
The procedures and processes for public service are set forth in the Public Service Act. In general, the recruitment, hiring, and promotion of public servants is done through a competitive process.
What are some of the challenges facing the Public Service Act?
The Public Service Act has a number of challenges. One challenge is that the law is outdated and needs to be updated to reflect the current realities of public service. Another challenge is that the law is not always implemented effectively. This can lead to corruption and other problems.
What are some of the proposed solutions to the challenges facing the Public Service Act?
There are a number of proposed solutions to the challenges facing the Public Service Act. One solution is to update the law to reflect the current realities of public service. Another solution is to improve the implementation of the law. This could be done by increasing the number of personnel who are responsible for implementing the law, or by providing them with more training and Resources.
Sure, here are some multiple choice questions about the Public Service Act and its implications:
- The Public Service Act is a law that governs the employment of government workers. True or False?
- The Public Service Act was passed in 2017. True or False?
- The Public Service Act aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the government workforce. True or False?
- The Public Service Act has been criticized for its potential to weaken the independence of the civil service. True or False?
- The Public Service Act has been praised for its potential to make the government more responsive to the needs of citizens. True or False?
Answers:
1. True
2. False. The Public Service Act was passed in 1990.
3. True
4. True
5. True
The Public Service Act is a law that governs the employment of government workers in the Philippines. It was passed in 1990 and has been amended several times since then. The act sets out the qualifications and procedures for hiring government workers, as well as the terms and conditions of their employment. It also establishes the Civil Service Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the act.
The Public Service Act has been criticized for its potential to weaken the independence of the civil service. Critics argue that the act gives the government too much power to hire and fire government workers, and that it does not provide enough safeguards against political interference in the civil service. However, supporters of the act argue that it is necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the government workforce. They argue that the act provides the government with the flexibility it needs to hire and fire workers based on merit, and that it does not give the government too much power to interfere in the civil service.
The Public Service Act has also been praised for its potential to make the government more responsive to the needs of citizens. Supporters of the act argue that it gives the government the flexibility it needs to hire and fire workers based on merit, and that it does not give the government too much power to interfere in the civil service. They argue that this will make the government more responsive to the needs of citizens, as it will be able to hire and fire workers who are best qualified to do the job.