Rajasthan government Pens Accountability Bill

In a first for India, the Rajasthan government is soon going to bring legislation on social accountability, which will ensure better delivery of goods and services, make officials accountable and enable free flow of information with public at large. The move follows a protracted campaign by civil rights groups. DNA recently reported that the newly elected Congress state government in 2018, headed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, will also strengthen the public redressal system and the feedback mechanism in a participative manner.

The draft bill aims at ensuring provision of quality individual goods and public goods and services in a time bound manner. It says that every person/group of persons shall have the right to be mandatorily informed about the planning, implementation and expenditure of delivery of all goods and services through a comprehensive and open architecture for information dissemination.

The Draft includes clear roles and rights under the act, obligations on public authorities, publication of citizen charter. Complaints & grievances, penalties and responsibilities of the government.

It is reported that the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan, led by social activist and Magsaysay award winner Ariuna Roy had proposed the draft law to the state government.

The move will go a long way in building a framework of transparency and accountability in India.

Giving final touches to the draft of the bill, the administrative reforms department has invited online suggestions from the common man, reports DNA. As per the draft, as reported in sections of the media, every person/group of persons shall have the right to file a grievance, obtain a dated acknowledgement receipt and ensure the redress of such grievances as per provisions of this Act. In case of not getting a satisfactory response, the complainant shall have the right to appeal against the decision taken on his/her grievance to an independent appellate authority at the District/Divisional and State Level.

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