Right to Service acts are part of a broader rights-based approach to social policy that has rippled through India over the past decade and a half. Many states have passed public service guarantee acts, also known as Right to Service acts. A state government has set up the Public Service Management Department to oversee the implementation of the Right to Service acts and you have been made its head. After some time you come to observe the following facts: First, officials often wait until towards the end of the maximum allotted time period to complete a service. It could be that officials are creating a new opportunity for bribes, taking money to speed the service up (especially for time sensitive services like caste certificates that may be required for a job or university application). Second, lower officials did express concern about Right to Service Acts being implemented unfairly or being distracting. For example, some said that if there was to be a time limit for processing applications and completing the work within stipulated time then there should also be a limit on how many applications can be accepted. They also felt that the fear of a penalty did make them prioritize processing these applications, but at the expense of their other works. (a) As the head of the Department how you will explain the behaviour of the officials? (b) Except the two options which are given below, what other options are available for you to address the issues of case study. Evaluate their merits and demerits and choose the best option, giving reasons. (i) Set up a citizen grievance redressal cell in the office. (ii) Install CCTV in the office and fix a limit on how many applications can be accepted.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

Syllabus: Case Studies on above issues.