Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Mar 9: Authorities at Jammu University have shown cold response towards the government suggestion to for implementation of Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) 2011, in the state with their assistance.
Sources said that government has approached the authorities of Jammu University to seek their assistance from a third party for its "effective" implementation in the state.
However, sources said JU did not show any interest. "Actually JU authorities believe that their assistance won't make much difference unless government takes some measures on its own," an official said.
He said that third party monitoring was to ascertain what results have been achieved by the PSGA in the state.
"Government had also decided to engage an NGO for the task if the JU continues to show reluctance," the official said.
Another official of the GAD said government had decided to engage third party in view that departments have not been delivering services to the people in a time frame.
The PSGA was made operational in 2011 in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was aimed at bringing more transparency and accountability in the system.
However, for the last over seven years, the Act has failed to make desired results.
"Though the departments have been receiving hundreds of application under the act but citing manpower shortage, lack of funds and irrational time-frame for delivery of various services," the official said.
At the time of making the Act operational, the then chief minister, Omar Abdullah had said that it "will help streamline delivery of public services and reduce corruption" in lower levels of administration.
"PSGA is an important tool in streamlining delivery of public services and providing these within the fixed," he had said.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has directed officials in several meetings for strict implementation of the Act.
The official said that PSGA could have reformed the entire system of delivery of services.
"The act clearly states that there should be no deficit in the service provided to the citizen but it seems that the neither the applicant pursues the matter nor the officer fears being penalized," the official said. |
